D4.6-LCA-methodology-to-include-secondary-flows-in-CPS

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

Abstract

This document provides methodological guidance for conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) within the context of the CERA 4in1 certification system, facilitating compliance with the EU Battery Regulation and Critical Raw Materials Act and enhancing interoperability with other existing standards and guidelines. The guidance is tailored to the domain surrounding critical raw materials for energy applications, namely batteries and rare earth magnets. The guidance is classified into general aspects concerning the complete supply chain of batteries and magnets, and specific aspects concerning the supply chain of four key commodities: lithium, cobalt, natural graphite, and neodymium. The addressed aspects include considerations relevant to primary and secondary materials. To develop this document, we first performed a focused literature review of a selection of European regulations, guidelines and standards. The main objective of the review was to ensure that the LCA methodology proposed in MaDiTraCe aligns with established LCA standards and guidelines to an optimal degree and to identify methodological areas of opportunity. The screened literature consisted of focused exploratory queries that were expanded with the input of an interdisciplinary group of experts. Many sustainability framework documents refer to the LCA thinking framework. However, we excluded most of these frameworks from the literature review because methodological guidance specific to LCA was out of their scope. We identified three significant areas of opportunity in the documents offering methodological guidance: •Guidance on the assessment of raw materials in impact categories beyond climate change.•Guidance on data collection.•Guidance on addressing co-production and recycling In response to these identified gaps, we proposed strategically expanding the selection of impact categories and elaborated on traceable and strategic data collection for life cycle inventories. Furthermore, we analysed the implications of several alternatives to address multifunctionality in co-production and recycling. A comprehensive assessment would include several of the following impact categories: Climate change, Ozone depletion, Human toxicity (cancer and non-cancer effects), Particulate matter, Ionising radiation, Photochemical ozone formation, Acidification, Eutrophication (terrestrial, freshwater and marine), Land use and Water use.The intended impact of this methodological guidance is to enhance the capability of organisations to comply with reporting regulations and conduct environmental impact assessments by streamlining the data collection efforts for confidential and public reporting commitments. Adopting this guidance may reduce the barriers for organisations to conduct LCAs and enhance standardisation efforts. These guidelines will be evaluated in D4.7 through case studies that involve the curation of baseline life cycle inventories.

Authors 6

1. Brenda Miranda Xicotencatl Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

2. Ioan-Robert Istrate Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

3. Aina Mas-Fons
4. Sónia Cunha Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

5. Leiden University
6. Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières