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Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Pig Farms in Selected European Countries: Combining LCA and Key Performance Indicators for Biodiversity Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Antonia Katharina Ruckli

    (Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Sabine Dippel

    (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Dörnbergstr. 25/27, 29223 Celle, Germany)

  • Nora Durec

    (Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Monika Gebska

    (Institute of Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Jonathan Guy

    (Food and Rural Development, School of Agriculture, Newcastle University, Kings Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Juliane Helmerichs

    (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Dörnbergstr. 25/27, 29223 Celle, Germany)

  • Christine Leeb

    (Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Herman Vermeer

    (Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Stefan Hörtenhuber

    (Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
    FiBL Deutschland e.V., Kasseler Str. 1a, PF 90 01 63, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to combine Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) assessment focusing on biodiversity in order to examine the environmental impacts of different pig farm types (13 breeding, 23 finishing and 27 breeding-to-finishing farms) in seven European countries. In addition, the relationship between environmental impacts and selected farm management characteristics was explored. Fossil energy depletion (FED), global warming (GWP), acidification (AP) as well as marine (MEP) and fresh water (FEP) eutrophication potential were assessed by an attributional LCA and expressed per kilogram body mass net sold (BMNS). In addition, the potential biodiversity performance of all crop-livestock farms within the sample (n = 56) was evaluated with a KPI assessment of biodiversity-related field management characteristics. We found no relationship between LCA results and biodiversity scores (KPI). LCA and biodiversity performance varied more within than across farm types (breeding, finishing, breeding-to-finishing). For example, the GWP expressed per kg BMNS of the breeding unit of breeding-to-finishing farms was on average (median) 2.77 (range: 1.40–4.78) and of breeding farms 2.57 (range: 1.91–3.23) kg CO 2 -eq. The average (median) biodiversity theme score for breeding farms was 51% (range: 36–70%), for breeding-to-finishing farms 38% (range: 30–68%) and for finishing farms 43% (range: 28–67%). Several farm management characteristics (e.g., FCR, productivity, proportion of solid manure) correlated with all/some LCA results. Biodiversity performance depended especially on KPIs related to ecological focus areas, fertiliser management and GMO crops. The large range regarding environmental performance in both LCA and KPI assessment across farm types indicates that farm-specific improvement measures should be implemented to enhance overall environmental sustainability on farm. In conclusion, combining LCA with KPI assessment provides a more comprehensive environmental impact assessment of pig farms.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonia Katharina Ruckli & Sabine Dippel & Nora Durec & Monika Gebska & Jonathan Guy & Juliane Helmerichs & Christine Leeb & Herman Vermeer & Stefan Hörtenhuber, 2021. "Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Pig Farms in Selected European Countries: Combining LCA and Key Performance Indicators for Biodiversity Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11230-:d:654164
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    2. Lefteris Melas & Maria Batsioula & Apostolos Malamakis & Sotiris I. Patsios & Dimitris Geroliolios & Evangelos Alexandropoulos & Stamatia Skoutida & Christos Karkanias & Anna Dedousi & Maria-Zoi Krits, 2023. "Circular Bioeconomy Practices in the Greek Pig Sector: The Environmental Performance of Bakery Meal as Pig Feed Ingredient," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-26, July.
    3. Xianghao Zhao & Changjiang Xiong, 2022. "Spatial and Temporal Characteristics, Evolution Law and Improvement Path of China’s Animal Husbandry Production Pattern," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.

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