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Life Cycle Assessment in the Context of Climate Change: A Sustainable Development Perspective

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Hazards and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 9523

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Paula Quinteiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environment and Planning, CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: life cycle thinking tools; water footprint; carbon footprint; life cycle sustainability assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges today and addressing the impacts of current and future climate change, particularly in terms of evaluating the interaction between climate change and sustainable production and consumption, is a critical research issue.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish original research, case studies, or reviews that focus on advanced studies applying life cycle assessment (LCA) to foster sustainable production and consumption, especially in the context of climate change. These studies can evaluate the potential environmental impacts of climate change and explore the integration of LCA within the broader framework of sustainable development, particularly in the context of climate change challenges.

Research studies may focus on the incorporation of climate change-related indicators into LCA to provide insights on how anticipated changes in climate conditions might affect the environmental performance of products and processes and the development of LCA strategies that effectively contribute to climate change mitigation by adopting cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency, and promoting shorter supply chains and alternative raw materials.

The methodological frameworks of interest include, but are not limited to: LCA, water footprint, social life cycle assessment, life cycle sustainability assessment, and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA); applied separately or in combination.

This Special Issue aims to advance our comprehension and application of sustainable practices that address the critical challenges presented by climate change, following a life cycle thinking.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Paula Quinteiro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • life cycle thinking tools
  • water footprint
  • carbon footprint
  • life cycle sustainability assessment
  • climate change
  • sustainable production and consumption
  • energy efficiency

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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14 pages, 1028 KiB  
Article
Environmental and Economic Assessment of Desktop vs. Laptop Computers: A Life Cycle Approach
by Miguel Ferreira, Idalina Domingos, Lenise Santos, Anna Barreto and José Ferreira
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4455; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104455 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 548
Abstract
This study evaluates and compares the environmental and economic implications of desktop and laptop computer systems throughout their life cycles using screening life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies. The functional unit was defined as the use of one computer [...] Read more.
This study evaluates and compares the environmental and economic implications of desktop and laptop computer systems throughout their life cycles using screening life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies. The functional unit was defined as the use of one computer system for fundamental home and small-business productivity tasks for over four years. The analysis considered the production, use, and end-of-life phases. The results showed the desktop system had a higher overall carbon footprint (679.1 kg CO2eq) compared to the laptop (286.1 kg CO2eq). For both systems, manufacturing contributed the largest share of the emissions, followed by use. Desktops exhibited significantly higher use phase emissions, due to greater energy consumption. Life cycle cost analysis revealed that laptops had slightly lower total costs (EUR 593.88) than desktops (EUR 608.40) over the 4-year period, despite higher initial investment costs. Sensitivity analysis examining different geographical scenarios highlighted the importance of considering regional factors in the LCA. Manufacturer-provided data generally showed lower carbon footprint values than the modeled scenarios. This study emphasizes the need for updated life cycle inventory data and energy efficiency improvements to reduce the environmental impacts of computer systems. Overall, laptops demonstrated environmental and economic advantages over desktops in the defined usage cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in the Context of Climate Change: A Sustainable Development Perspective)
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26 pages, 4008 KiB  
Article
Analyzing Climate Change Awareness Campaigns: A Bibliometric Study of Scientific Research
by Vasile Gherheș, Claudiu Coman, Anna Bucs, Adrian Otovescu and Loránt Bucs
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 3979; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17093979 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 538
Abstract
This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scientific research on climate change awareness campaigns, using data from the Web of Science (WoS) database and the keywords “climate change” and “campaign”. Publications from 1994 to 2024 were examined to identify key trends, author networks, [...] Read more.
This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scientific research on climate change awareness campaigns, using data from the Web of Science (WoS) database and the keywords “climate change” and “campaign”. Publications from 1994 to 2024 were examined to identify key trends, author networks, and institutional contributions. Following PRISMA guidelines, 1274 records were initially retrieved; after applying exclusion criteria, 1207 documents were included in the final dataset. The results reveal a steady growth in publication output, especially over the last decade, with dominant contributions from environmental sciences, meteorology and atmospheric research, and science and technology studies. While “campaign” is frequently mentioned, it often serves as a methodological or communicative element within broader climate-related research. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany lead in publication volume and influence, with increased contributions from countries in the Global South. The global collaboration map highlights strong international efforts and interdisciplinary integration. Based on these findings, future research should evaluate campaign effectiveness, leverage digital tools, foster cross-regional knowledge exchange, and strengthen the link between scientific evidence and public policy. This study offers a foundation for more inclusive, impactful, and evidence-driven climate change communication strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in the Context of Climate Change: A Sustainable Development Perspective)
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31 pages, 5064 KiB  
Article
Tool for Greener Tourism: Evaluating Environmental Impacts
by Cristina Campos Herrero, Ana Cláudia Dias, María Gallego, David Gutiérrez, Paula Quinteiro, Pedro Villanueva-Rey, Sara Oliveira, Jaume Albertí, Alba Bala, Pere Fullana-i-Palmer, Margalida Fullana Puig, Lela Melón, Ilija Sazdovski, Eduardo Rodríguez, Mercè Roca, Ramon Xifré, Jara Laso Cortabitarte, María Margallo Blanco and Rubén Aldaco García
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3476; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083476 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1296
Abstract
Travel and tourism are essential to global economies, generating social, economic, and environmental impacts. However, there is a lack of standardized methodologies to assess the environmental footprint of tourist destinations beyond carbon footprint analysis. This study introduces the Greentour tool, the first of [...] Read more.
Travel and tourism are essential to global economies, generating social, economic, and environmental impacts. However, there is a lack of standardized methodologies to assess the environmental footprint of tourist destinations beyond carbon footprint analysis. This study introduces the Greentour tool, the first of its kind to evaluate the environmental impact of accommodation, restaurants, and tourism activities using nine environmental indicators from a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. The tool applies a hybrid bottom-up and top-down approach, integrating data from tourist establishments and destination managers. The tool was tested in four tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal (Rías Baixas, Camino Lebaniego, Lloret de Mar, and Guimarães), revealing that transportation is the primary contributor to environmental impacts, ranging from 60% to 96% of total emissions, particularly in air-travel-dependent destinations. Food and beverage services are the second-largest contributor, accounting for up to 26% of emissions, while accommodation ranks third (1–14%). This study highlights the significant role of electricity consumption and food choices (e.g., red meat and dairy) in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives. Despite challenges in data collection, particularly for food and transport statistics, the Greentour tool has demonstrated robustness and adaptability across diverse destinations, making it applicable worldwide. This tool provides key insights for policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and businesses, supporting the integration of sustainability strategies into public policies and industry best practices. Future research should focus on expanding its use to additional destinations to foster science-based decision-making and promote more sustainable tourism practices globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in the Context of Climate Change: A Sustainable Development Perspective)
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17 pages, 741 KiB  
Article
Quantification of GHG Emissions Using Different Methodologies in Tropical Conventional Cashew Cultivation
by Jonnathan Richeds da Silva Sales, Viviane da Silva Barros, Claudivan Feitosa de Lacerda, Maria Cléa Brito de Figueirêdo, Antonio Fabio da Silva Lima and Adriana Correa-Guimaraes
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3042; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073042 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Quantifying GHG emissions from cashew cultivation, especially in Brazil, is essential to assess the environmental impact and promote the sustainable development of this activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare methods for quantifying GHG emissions based on empirical equations [...] Read more.
Quantifying GHG emissions from cashew cultivation, especially in Brazil, is essential to assess the environmental impact and promote the sustainable development of this activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare methods for quantifying GHG emissions based on empirical equations for life cycle inventories, using the conventional cashew production system in Brazil as a case study. The scope of the study encompasses, from gate to gate in a dwarf cashew production system, considering the production of one ton of cashew as a functional unit. GHG emissions were assessed and compared using the following methodologies: Nemecek-Calc, WFLDB, IPCC-Calc, BR-Calc, and Agri-footprint. The environmental assessment followed ISO standards (14040, 14044, and 14067). The results showed that the carbon footprint varied among the evaluated methodologies, with a difference of 24.5% between the highest value (129.5 kg CO2 eq-IPCC-Calc and BR-Calc) and the lowest (104 kg CO2 eq-Nemecek-Calc) per ton of cashew. N2O was the main contributor to emissions, accounting for up to 75.9%, while CO2 represented up to 25.8%. Based on the analysis criteria, WFLDB, IPCC-Calc, and BR-Calc are the most recommended methodologies, balancing clarity, scientific robustness, and regional adaptation. The choice of methodology is fundamental, as it directly influences the results and interpretation of the carbon footprint in cashew farming, impacting the sustainability of this agricultural activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in the Context of Climate Change: A Sustainable Development Perspective)
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31 pages, 8778 KiB  
Article
Triple Bottom Line in Sustainable Development: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis
by Ionuț Nica, Nora Chiriță and Irina Georgescu
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051932 - 24 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5790
Abstract
This study provides a bibliometric analysis of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework in sustainable development, highlighting its ethical dimensions and corporate responsibility. Using R Studio and VOSviewer, we examine research trends from 2001 to 2023, revealing a 23.23% annual growth in publications, [...] Read more.
This study provides a bibliometric analysis of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework in sustainable development, highlighting its ethical dimensions and corporate responsibility. Using R Studio and VOSviewer, we examine research trends from 2001 to 2023, revealing a 23.23% annual growth in publications, strong global engagement, and increasing interdisciplinarity. Thematic analysis shows a shift from broad management concepts to specialized areas such as circular economy, life cycle assessment, and climate impact, demonstrating TBL’s transition from a theoretical model to an actionable sustainability framework. Our findings provide practical insights for policymakers and organizations, supporting data-driven decision-making in sustainability strategies. By integrating ethical accountability with economic, social, and environmental goals, TBL offers a structured approach to guiding sustainable business practices and informing policy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in the Context of Climate Change: A Sustainable Development Perspective)
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