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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Applications in Airports

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Life Cycle Assessment in Aviation

Abstract

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool employed to assess the environmental implications of a product’s life cycle, including its inputs, outputs, and potential impacts. It assists decision-makers in evaluating major environmental impacts while selecting among various alternatives. This study aims to investigate the current practical resolutions in the airport industry using LCA. There are 20 papers examined under ISO 14040, ReCiPe, CML-IA, TRACI, and Eco-Indicator 99 methods. Due to the limited literature on Airport LCA, we have classified them into six categories: energy usage, infrastructure, building, waste management, transportation, and the overall system. There is a significant gap in studies, with energy generation and operational LCA in airports being promising fields. Given the critical role of the LCA method in comprehending airport environmental impact and promoting sustainable expansion; it is expected that the future research will focus on integrating renewable energy technologies, circular economy principles, and climate change resilience. LCA could be even more effective for guiding environmentally responsible airport construction if future factors are considered.

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Abbreviations

ANN:

Artificial Neural Network

ATEST:

The Airport Terminal Environmental Support Tool

BREEAM:

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology

CAP:

Criteria Air Pollutant

CBA:

Cost–Benefit Analysis

CED:

Cumulative energy demand

CMLCA:

Chain Management by Life Cycle Assessment

CML-IA:

Database that contains characterization factors for life cycle impact assessment.

EC:

Energy Consumption

EIA:

Environmental Impact Assessment

E-LCA:

Environmental LCA

Emergy:

Embodied energy

EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency

GHG:

Greenhouse Gas(es)

GLAD:

Global LCA Data Access

GWP:

Global warming potential

HMA:

Hot mixed asphalt

HPS:

Heated pavement system

HTP:

Human toxicity potential

ISO:

International Standards Organization

LCA:

Life cycle assessment

LCA-AIR:

A specific comprehensive LCA Tool

LCCA:

Life Cycle Cost Analysis

LCI:

Life cycle inventory

LCIA:

Life cycle impact Assessment

LEED:

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LTO:

Landing and Take-off

MDAS:

Method and Determinations for Airport Sustainability

N/P:

Eutrophication potential

OECD:

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

ORC:

Organic Rankine Cycle

PED:

Primary energy demand

PEF:

Product environmental footprint

PM:

Particular Matter

ReCiPe:

Is a method for life cycle impact assessment

S-LCA:

Social LCA

TPE:

Total Primary Energy

TRACI:

Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemicals and Other Environmental Impacts

VOCs:

Volatile organic compounds

UNEP:

United Nations Environment Programme

WMA:

Warm mix asphalt

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Dalkiran, A., Sogut, M.Z., Karakoc, T.H. (2024). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Applications in Airports. In: Karakoc, T.H., Ekici, S., Dalkiran, A. (eds) Life Cycle Assessment in Aviation. Sustainable Aviation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52772-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52772-2_5

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