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Using LCA-based Decomposition Analysis to Study the Multidimensional Contribution of Technological Innovation to Environmental Pressures

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Listed:
  • David Font Vivanco
  • René Kemp
  • Ester Voet
  • Reinout Heijungs

Abstract

type="main"> This article presents a general framework for macroenvironmental assessment, combining life cycle assessment (LCA) with the IPAT equation, and explores its combination with decomposition analysis to assess the multidimensional contribution of technological innovation to environmental pressures. This approach is illustrated with a case study in which carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) air emissions from diesel passenger cars in Europe during the period 1990–2005 are first decomposed using index decomposition analysis into technology, consumption activity, and population growth effects. By a second decomposition, the contribution of a specific innovation (diesel engine) is calculated on the basis of the technology and consumption activity effects, through a technological comparison with a relevant alternative and the calculation of the rebound effect, respectively. The empirical analysis for diesel passenger cars highlights the discrepancies between the micro (LCA) and macro (IPAT-LCA) analytical approaches. Thus, whereas diesel engines present a relatively less-pollutant environmental product profile than their gasoline counterparts, total CO 2 and NO x emissions would have increased partly as a consequence of their introduction, mainly driven by the increase in travel demand caused by the induced direct price rebound effect from fuel savings and fuel price differences. The counterintuitive result shows the need for such an analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • David Font Vivanco & René Kemp & Ester Voet & Reinout Heijungs, 2014. "Using LCA-based Decomposition Analysis to Study the Multidimensional Contribution of Technological Innovation to Environmental Pressures," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 18(3), pages 380-392, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:18:y:2014:i:3:p:380-392
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Qi Wang & Jiejun Huang & Han Zhou & Jiaqi Sun & Mingkun Yao, 2022. "Carbon Emission Inversion Model from Provincial to Municipal Scale Based on Nighttime Light Remote Sensing and Improved STIRPAT," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Vélez-Henao, Johan-Andrés & Font Vivanco, David & Hernández-Riveros, Jesús-Antonio, 2019. "Technological change and the rebound effect in the STIRPAT model: A critical view," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1372-1381.
    5. Hoang, Dung Phuong & Chu, Lan Khanh & To, Thanh Trung & Le, Ha Thanh, 2025. "The interaction of energy diversification policy and geopolitical uncertainty in sustaining the environment: International evidence," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    6. Robert Anex & Reid Lifset, 2014. "Life Cycle Assessment," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 18(3), pages 321-323, May.
    7. Pham, Hung Manh & Chu, Lan Khanh & Hoang, Dung Phuong, 2024. "What makes environment-related technologies less effective? The role of uncertainty," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 48(4).
    8. Doğan, Buhari & Ghosh, Sudeshna & Hoang, Dung Phuong & Chu, Lan Khanh, 2022. "Are economic complexity and eco-innovation mutually exclusive to control energy demand and environmental quality in E7 and G7 countries?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    9. Lan Khanh Chu & Dung Phuong Hoang & Ha Thanh Le, 2025. "The interaction of public–private partnership investment in energy and geopolitical risk in influencing carbon dioxide emissions in E7 countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(7), pages 16417-16449, July.
    10. Font Vivanco, David & Kemp, René & van der Voet, Ester, 2016. "How to deal with the rebound effect? A policy-oriented approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 114-125.
    11. To Trung Thanh & Le Thanh Ha & Hoang Phuong Dung & Tran Thi Lan Huong, 2023. "Impacts of digitalization on energy security: evidence from European countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(10), pages 11599-11644, October.
    12. Lianyan Fu & Luyang Zhang & Zihan Zhang, 2023. "The Impact of Information Infrastructure Construction on Carbon Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, May.
    13. Möller, Jasmin & Daschkovska, Kateryna & Bogaschewsky, Ronald, 2019. "Sustainable city logistics: rebound effects from self-driving vehicles," Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL), in: Jahn, Carlos & Kersten, Wolfgang & Ringle, Christian M. (ed.), Digital Transformation in Maritime and City Logistics: Smart Solutions for Logistics. Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics, volume 28, pages 299-337, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management.
    14. Font Vivanco, David & Freire-González, Jaume & Kemp, René & van der Voet, Ester, 2014. "The Remarkable Environmental Rebound Effect of Electric Cars: A Microeconomic Approach," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 48(20), pages 12063-12072.

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