Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review
Farm simulation models are a popular form of measuring greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) from the agricultural industry as they are holistic and cost effective. The simulation models often follow the well-accepted life cycle assessment (LCA) framework to estimate the GHGe from the complete system from...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Fern T. Baker Stephen Axon |
| author_facet | Fern T. Baker Stephen Axon |
| author_sort | Fern T. Baker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Farm simulation models are a popular form of measuring greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) from the agricultural industry as they are holistic and cost effective. The simulation models often follow the well-accepted life cycle assessment (LCA) framework to estimate the GHGe from the complete system from cradle to farm-gate. However, several studies have highlighted flaws in the methodology and accuracy of the application of the LCA tool, underestimating emissions based on the scope of the study. GHGe vary considerably across livestock species, with cattle contributing to the highest proportion, from dairy and beef production. An extensive literature review evaluating the application of the LCA tool for measuring and comparing dairy farm GHGe has not been conducted. The current review evaluates the literature on LCAs of the dairy system across the globe, to highlight the flaws in poor scope design, the potential to underestimate emissions, and significant trade-offs disregarding vital variables. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a76afa2d6f644952a3037434cbf94ede |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-a76afa2d6f644952a3037434cbf94ede2025-08-20T02:21:07ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-06-01146120710.3390/land14061207Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature ReviewFern T. Baker0Stephen Axon1Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Bournemouth University, Poole BH12 5BB, UKDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, Bournemouth University, Poole BH12 5BB, UKFarm simulation models are a popular form of measuring greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) from the agricultural industry as they are holistic and cost effective. The simulation models often follow the well-accepted life cycle assessment (LCA) framework to estimate the GHGe from the complete system from cradle to farm-gate. However, several studies have highlighted flaws in the methodology and accuracy of the application of the LCA tool, underestimating emissions based on the scope of the study. GHGe vary considerably across livestock species, with cattle contributing to the highest proportion, from dairy and beef production. An extensive literature review evaluating the application of the LCA tool for measuring and comparing dairy farm GHGe has not been conducted. The current review evaluates the literature on LCAs of the dairy system across the globe, to highlight the flaws in poor scope design, the potential to underestimate emissions, and significant trade-offs disregarding vital variables.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1207life cycle assessmentsimulationfarmingagriculturedairy systemgreenhouse gas emissions |
| spellingShingle | Fern T. Baker Stephen Axon Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review Land life cycle assessment simulation farming agriculture dairy system greenhouse gas emissions |
| title | Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review |
| title_full | Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review |
| title_short | Towards an Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Framework for GHG Emissions of the Dairy System: A Literature Review |
| title_sort | towards an application of the life cycle assessment framework for ghg emissions of the dairy system a literature review |
| topic | life cycle assessment simulation farming agriculture dairy system greenhouse gas emissions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1207 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ferntbaker towardsanapplicationofthelifecycleassessmentframeworkforghgemissionsofthedairysystemaliteraturereview AT stephenaxon towardsanapplicationofthelifecycleassessmentframeworkforghgemissionsofthedairysystemaliteraturereview |