Eco-score: life cycle analysis (LCA)
If we want to calculate the Eco-score of a food product, we largely rely on the life cycle analysis (LCA) of the product category. It examines the stages a food product from a certain category goes through. Discover everything you need to know about the life cycle analysis here.
What is the purpose of a life cycle analysis?
A life cycle analysis gives us clear insights into the environmental impact of different product categories. That’s important, because food is the number one contributor to climate change.
Food production accounts for 28% of global greenhouse gas emissions¹, 70% of drinking water use², and the majority of packaging waste. Agriculture takes up a third of the Earth’s land surface and is the leading cause of deforestation.
The Eco-score helps you make more environmentally friendly food choices. In doing so, we help conserve resources and limit global warming to less than 2°C.
[1] Institute for Climate Economics. (2019). Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from food consumption
[2] OCDE (2020). Agriculture and water policy changesDe productie van voeding is goed voor 28 % van de broeikasgasuitstoot¹, 70 % van het drinkwaterverbruik² en het grootste deel van het verpakkingsafval. Landbouw neemt een derde van het landoppervlak op de planeet in beslag. Het is de belangrijkste oorzaak van ontbossing.
Analysing a product’s life cycle
- Agriculture
- Processing
- Packaging
- Transport
- Sales
- Consumption
With the PEF method (Product Environmental Footprint), the impact on the following sixteen categories is examined for each of those six stages.
1. Depletion of the ozone layer
The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs the sun’s harmful UV radiation. The thinning of the ozone layer by certain substances has dangerous consequences for humans (e.g. skin cancer) and other organisms.
2. Eco-toxicity of freshwater
Eco-toxicity refers to the potential toxic effects of certain substances on ecosystems.
3. Soil eutrophication
Due to an excess of nutrients in the soil, specific plants grow faster, to the detriment of the original ecosystem.
4. Salt water eutrophication
Due to an excess of nutrients in the sea, algae and other specific plants grow faster, to the detriment of the original ecosystem.
5. Freshwater eutrophication
Due to an excess of nutrients in freshwater, algae and specific plants grow faster, to the detriment of the original ecosystem.
6. Particulate matter
Particulate matter and other inorganic substances can get into people’s lungs where they can have harmful effects.
7. Photochemical ozone formation
While ozone in the stratosphere protects us, ozone on the ground (in the troposphere) is harmful: it affects organic compounds in animals and plants. Photochemical smog (summer smog) can cause respiratory problems.
8. Use of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources. If we consume them in large quantities, there will be none left for future generations.
9. Use of raw materials: minerals and metals
Minerals and metals are non-renewable resources. If we consume them in large quantities, there will be none left for future generations.
10. Ionising radiation
Exposure to ionising radiation (radioactivity) may have harmful effects on human health.
11. Climate change
Due to the increase in the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the earth’s temperature is rising and the climate is changing.
12. Land use
The use and transformation of land for agriculture, roads, mining and other purposes can lead to soil erosion, lack of organic matter in the soil and loss of biodiversity.
13. Toxic to humans: carcinogenic
Absorbing certain substances through the air, water or soil can have toxic, carcinogenic effects on humans.
14. Toxic to humans: non-carcinogenic
Absorbing certain substances through the air, water or soil can have toxic, non-carcinogenic effects on humans.
15. Acidification
Emissions to air, water and soil can cause acidification. Acidification contributes to a decline in coniferous forests and an increase in fish mortality.
16. Water consumption
Withdrawing water from lakes, rivers or groundwater can lead to water scarcity.
Results of the life cycle analyses
The calculation method of the Eco-score is a robust method developed by a French collective. Since it's very complex to make a life cycle analysis of a product, the French method uses average values for the same product category, such as biscuits with chocolate.
The results of a life cycle analysis show the environmental effects per manufactured and consumed kilogram. And where can you find the results of the life cycle analyses? For many product categories results are available in the French Agribalyse database. It will take a while before a database with specific data for Belgium will become available.
However, the Agribalyse life cycle analyses do not take into account some factors.
- Certain essential negative effects, for example, the influence of the use of pesticides, antibiotics and anti-parasitic agents on soil richness or biodiversity.
- The positive impact of, for example, organic or extensive production on animal welfare or landscapes (fields, mountain pastures, hedgerows, etc.).
- The distinction between production and agricultural methods. As a result, some foods from conventional agriculture score better in life cycle analyses than alternatives from organic agriculture, which often has lower yields.
These factors are included in the Eco-score by means of the extra criteria in the bonus-malus system.
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Sustainable fishing techniques: line and hook, rod fishing, trap, shore fishing. These methods are selective and have no impact on the seabed and the habitat.
ADEME. (2020). Environmental labels. https://www.ademe.fr/labels-environnementaux
PUSH. (2020). Evaluation of food labels. https://www.labelinfo.ch/fr/projets-devaluation/-evaluation-des-labels-alimentaires
ITAB & INRA. (2016, novembre). Quantify and cost economically the externalities of organic farming ? http://itab.asso.fr/downloads/amenites/amenites-ab-synthese-nov2016.pdf
Réseau Action Climat & Fondation pour la Nature et l’Homme. (2010, septembre). Agriculture and greenhouse gases: state of the art and prospective. https://www.fondation-nicolas-hulot.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/101110_agriculture_et_gaz_a_effet_de_serre-etat_des_lieux_et_perspectives.pdf
Association Bleu-Blanc-Cœur. (2019, septembre). Assessment of the environmental impact of products in the Bleu-Blanc-Cœur sector by Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) - Methodological report.
WWF. (2019). Meat: eat less, eat better. https://www.wwf.fr/sites/default/files/doc-2020-11/MAJ202011_Etude_Viande-manger-moins-manger-mieux_WWF.pdf
France Stratégie. (2020, aout). The economic and environmental performance of agroecology. https://www.strategie.gouv.fr/sites/strategie.gouv.fr/files/atoms/files/fs-2020-na-94-agroecologie-aout.pdf
More about the Eco-score
The Eco-score makes it easier to make eco-friendly choices. At a glance you can see information about the environmental impact of a product.
The Eco-score helps you to consume more sustainably. And it helps us to reduce the ecological impact of our own-brand products.
You can make a big difference for the environment with your weekly food choices. From choosing seasonal fruit and vegetables to cooking creatively with food leftovers. The following practical tips will help you reduce your ecological footprint in no time.
The Eco-score helps you to consume more sustainably. And the calculation also helps us, as a company. By mapping out the environmental impact of our private label products, we can see where we can do better and make improvements. Here are a few examples ...