ReLEAF partner FiBL has published a new scientific paper introducing the FarmLCA model, a novel approach for assessing the environmental impacts of agroecological innovations using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The model is also being further developed and applied within the ReLEAF project.
FarmLCA enables the assessment of a wide range of agroecological practices at farm level. While the published paper presents a case study on mixed crop–livestock systems, the model can also be used to evaluate the environmental performance of bio-based fertilisers (BBFs). It accounts for field emissions from fertiliser application as well as impacts related to other farm activities such as machinery use, pesticide application, tillage, and harvesting. In addition, environmental impacts linked to fertiliser production are included in the assessment.
A key strength of the FarmLCA model is its ability to integrate primary LCA data on BBF production alongside results from field trials that test the agronomic performance of different fertilisers. Within the ReLEAF project, the modeling of field emissions from BBFs will be further refined, and the tool will be applied in Work Package 5 to assess the environmental performance of the bio-based fertilisers developed in the project.
The original publication is available in the Scientific Publications section of the website.