often requiring energy intensive irrigation and refrigerated storage [2–5]. In order to
green agri-food value chains in emerging economies, these specific conditions need
to be taken into consideration. Therefore, the development and implementation of
sustainable technologies and production methods along the entire agri-food value
chain is a crucial step towards a global sustainable food system.
During the session on Greening Agri-food Value Chains in Emerging
Economies at the 8th International Conference on Life Cycle Management in
Luxembourg in September 2017 successful projects and options for reducing
environmental impacts of agri-food value chains in emerging economies were
discussed.
2 Summary of the Session Presentations
Within the session on Greening Agri-food Value Chains in Emerging Economies
five presentations from four different continents were held. Subsequently, each
presentation is referenced at the beginning of each section and therefore not
repeated again.
2.1 Rice, Sugarcane and Oil Palm Cultivation in Thailand
Trakarn Prapaspongsa analysed technology choices by farmers within the rice,
sugarcane and oil palm industries in Thailand [6]. An eco-efficiency assessment was
performed using the ISO 14045:2012 standard, whilst the environmental assessment was performed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Overall, rice cultivation had the largest negative impact on terrestrial acidification and marine eutrophication, with land use change (LUC) playing the most
important role. Prapaspongsa determined toxicity and marine eutrophication to be
most significant in sugarcane production. Significant environmental impacts are
related to burning land. In palm oil production, pesticide use has a high impact.
Financial incentives were recommended: for example, higher prices for sugarcane when the fields are not burnt. Environmental impacts in Thailand could be
significantly lowered if pesticide use in palm oil production were reduced and if
sugarcane producers refrained from field burning practises.
2.2 Dairy and Maize Farming in South Africa
Regula Keller from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences conducted a LCA on
the South African dairy industry, where she identified environmental impacts and
evaluated the environmental mitigation potential of cleantech options [7]. The study
110
M. Stucki and A. Blignaut
green agri-food value chains in emerging economies, these specific conditions need
to be taken into consideration. Therefore, the development and implementation of
sustainable technologies and production methods along the entire agri-food value
chain is a crucial step towards a global sustainable food system.
During the session on Greening Agri-food Value Chains in Emerging
Economies at the 8th International Conference on Life Cycle Management in
Luxembourg in September 2017 successful projects and options for reducing
environmental impacts of agri-food value chains in emerging economies were
discussed.
2 Summary of the Session Presentations
Within the session on Greening Agri-food Value Chains in Emerging Economies
five presentations from four different continents were held. Subsequently, each
presentation is referenced at the beginning of each section and therefore not
repeated again.
2.1 Rice, Sugarcane and Oil Palm Cultivation in Thailand
Trakarn Prapaspongsa analysed technology choices by farmers within the rice,
sugarcane and oil palm industries in Thailand [6]. An eco-efficiency assessment was
performed using the ISO 14045:2012 standard, whilst the environmental assessment was performed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Overall, rice cultivation had the largest negative impact on terrestrial acidification and marine eutrophication, with land use change (LUC) playing the most
important role. Prapaspongsa determined toxicity and marine eutrophication to be
most significant in sugarcane production. Significant environmental impacts are
related to burning land. In palm oil production, pesticide use has a high impact.
Financial incentives were recommended: for example, higher prices for sugarcane when the fields are not burnt. Environmental impacts in Thailand could be
significantly lowered if pesticide use in palm oil production were reduced and if
sugarcane producers refrained from field burning practises.
2.2 Dairy and Maize Farming in South Africa
Regula Keller from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences conducted a LCA on
the South African dairy industry, where she identified environmental impacts and
evaluated the environmental mitigation potential of cleantech options [7]. The study
110
M. Stucki and A. Blignaut