• The study provides valuable insights into how current LCA methodologies impact renewable carbon assessments.
• It suggests a more consistent and reliable sustainability evaluation for renewable carbon-based products.

The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) has conducted an in-depth study on the provisions of various Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint standards in respect of renewable carbon-based products.

Renewable carbon is derived from biomass, carbon capture, or recycling. The study conducted by the nova-Institute on behalf of RCI examines various major sustainability frameworks, comparing their methodologies as well as areas of agreement and conflict.

The report is divided into three parts: the first part dwelt at length on the methodological approach of major LCA frameworks and their impact on renewable carbon products.

The second part explains how renewable carbon is assessed in recycling processes, pinpointing the challenges involved in LCA and carbon footprint studies. Finally, the third part gives a non-technical summary, including findings and recommendations for policymakers.

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According to the report, agreements and conflicts exist among the assessed LCA frameworks. Most frameworks have a consensus on assessing biogenic carbon uptake and emissions, except for the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). However, provisions for recycling work differently, producing multiple results due to frameworks offering various options.

On the flip side, conflicts among the frameworks include how they handle processes with multiple outputs and whether co-products should receive emissions credits. Some frameworks are vague, while others are comprehensive and have strict rules regarding crediting co-products in carbon footprint calculations.

When it comes to approaching biogenic carbon accounting, many follow the -1/+1 method, which means biogenic CO2 uptake is counted as negative emissions (-1) and biogenic CO2 emissions as positive (+1). Meanwhile, PEF and RED III do not count biogenic carbon removals or emissions and use the 0/0 approach. The Environmental Footprint (EF) Technical Advisory Board is discussing the shift from 0/0 to -1/+1.

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The report suggests that policymakers play an important part in acknowledging the flexibility in LCA frameworks to make sure that renewable carbon products are fairly assessed compared to fossil-based alternatives. Simply wishing it away will not help; they need to discuss various solutions, including mass balance, carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), and attribution methodologies.

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Source: RCI