A critical overview of scientific publications on life cycle assessment in transport-related topics
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ORIGINAL PAPER
A critical overview of scientific publications on life cycle assessment in transport‑related topics Vasja Omahne1 · Damjan Krajnc2 · Rebeka Kovačič Lukman1 Received: 30 December 2019 / Accepted: 26 September 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract The transport sector contributes globally around 14% of the greenhouse gas emissions, and one-third to the European Union’s. As an important economic sector, it requires an in-depth discussion, especially regarding environmental impacts. This paper focuses on transport-related life cycle assessment studies, as they are vital for the decision-making processes at various levels. We have framed our research on the requirements of the International organization for Standardization. We have given particular attention to the quality of life cycle assessment phases (goal and scope, inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation). We have explored 34 research and review papers, acquired from the Web of Science database. Furthermore, we have carried out a content scope analysis using Leximancer to determine and assess existing research areas and future trends. Results are represented via concept maps, giving a comprehensive overview of the life cycle assessment research in the transport. Our study indicates several incompatibilities with the standardised methodology. The findings suggest improvements in the methodological perspective. For example, system boundary represents a weakness in several studies as well as a comprehensive definition of goals or functional unit. Reliable and standardised studies are better-supporting decision-making process, leaving out any ambiguous understandings or manipulation of the results. A content analysis revealed most frequently discussed concepts, which were ‘impact’, ‘transport’, ‘emissions’, and ‘carbon’, suggesting existing research trends, and identifying research gaps, such as consumption-related topics.
* Rebeka Kovačič Lukman [email protected] 1
Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Mariborska c.7, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Graphic abstract
A discussion on the current state-of-the-art peer-reviewed scien fic papers on LCA and transport 1 334
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34 Content analysis – concept map
A compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044
Weaknesses and improvement op ons: Goal and scope defini on (func onal units, system`s boundary) Inventory (secondary data bases and data sources) LCIA (selec on and jus fica on of impact categories) Interpreta on (valida on of the results and data)
Increase the reliability and confidence of the studies, supporng decision-making process Keywords Critical overview · Life cycle assessment · Transport · Leximancer · Content analysis
Introduction Transport as a sector is seen as the cornerstone of economies and is tightly linked with assuring economic growth and social stability. Its global
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