VCA, a method for mapping and neutralizing the environmental impact of a company's value chain

M. R. van Moort, M. E. Toxopeus*, S. Jokic

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Companies need to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste from their value chains in order to minimize the climate change and resource depletion that are caused by their business operations. However, it is difficult for companies to assess their current state and to plan and keep track of improvements. This paper will discuss how life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used to develop a value chain assessment (VCA) method that supports companies with their ambition to assess and neutralize the environmental impacts of their value chains. The 6-step VCA method was developed and evaluated through a case study regarding the realization of large-scale solar parks. The method incorporates the guidelines and reporting requirements of the GHG Protocol standard for accounting and reporting emissions and the ISO standards for LCAs. Similar to LCAs, the developed VCA method is highly dependent on the level of detail and quality of gathered data, but also on the competency of the assessor. The VCA method does however provide suggestions for considering data gaps and inaccuracies. The method already presents a simplified and organized way of structuring, estimating, analyzing, reporting, and reducing a value chain's emissions and waste. The performed case study proved that the method could improve through more detailed evaluation and application in more case studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)552-557
Number of pages6
JournalProcedia CIRP
Volume116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Apr 2023
Event30th CIRP Life Cycle Engineering Conference, LCE 2023 - Rutgers Academic Building, New Brunswick, United States
Duration: 15 May 202317 May 2023
Conference number: 30

Keywords

  • Emission scopes Environment Climate change Resource depletion LCA
  • GHG emissions
  • Impact assessment
  • Value chain
  • Waste generation

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