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The Role of Life Cycle Assessment in Supporting the Transition Towards Sustainable Production and Consumptions Systems: The Case of Biofuels and Climate Change

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Handbook of Sustainability Science in the Future

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Abstract

Biofuel systems have been considered to yield more sustainable outcomes than their fossil counterparts. This chapter demonstrates that biofuels do not necessarily lead to a more sustainable outcome, such that each system warrants critical appraisal independently. Largely, preferability for biofuel systems rests on the impact under assessment, as bio-based systems are more taxing for impacts like acidification and eutrophication, but lower in climate change and toxicity. In this way, generalizations regarding the superiority or otherwise of biofuels may not support robust transitions towards sustainable production and consumptions systems. With reference to contrasting energy systems: biofuels and fossil fuels, it is shown with life cycle assessment that bioenergy systems are not always preferable for climate change. It is important to apply hard systems approaches to elucidate the merits or otherwise of production systems alternative to current fossil ones.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

    Miguel Brandão

Authors
  1. Miguel Brandão
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Correspondence to Miguel Brandão .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. FTZ-ALS, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Anabela Marisa Azul

  3. Department of Business and Law, University of Milano-Bicocca, MILANO, Milano, Italy

    Federica Doni

  4. University of Passo Fundo, Sao Jose, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Amanda Lange Salvia

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Brandão, M. (2023). The Role of Life Cycle Assessment in Supporting the Transition Towards Sustainable Production and Consumptions Systems: The Case of Biofuels and Climate Change. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A.M., Doni, F., Salvia, A.L. (eds) Handbook of Sustainability Science in the Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68074-9_180-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68074-9_180-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-68074-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-68074-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

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