Short answer

When evaluating agricultural or production systems, consider both environmental impact (LCA) and total cost of ownership (LCC) to achieve true sustainability.

Field: Sustainability
Source: DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (2015)
Method: Comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC)
Evidence: Strong effect

Combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) provides a holistic view of the environmental and economic viability of agricultural production systems. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals). Using Comparative life cycle assessment (lca) and life cycle costing (lcc), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When evaluating agricultural or production systems, consider both environmental impact (LCA) and total cost of ownership (LCC) to achieve true sustainability.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactStrong effect

Integrated Sustainability Appraisal of Wine-growing Management Systems

Combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) provides a holistic view of the environmental and economic viability of agricultural production systems.

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · 2015

Key Findings

01Integrated LCA and LCC can reveal complex interactions between environmental and economic performance of different agricultural systems.
02Specific management choices (e.g., organic vs. conventional, training systems) have distinct and quantifiable impacts on both environmental footprint and cost.

Application

Design takeaway

When evaluating agricultural or production systems, consider both environmental impact (LCA) and total cost of ownership (LCC) to achieve true sustainability.

How to apply

When designing new agricultural products or processes, or when optimizing existing ones, conduct a combined LCA and LCC to understand the full sustainability profile.

Project actions

01Clearly define the boundaries of your system for both environmental and cost analysis.
02Ensure your cost inventory includes all relevant direct and indirect expenses.

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the environmental and economic sustainability of different vineyard production scenarios using integrated LCA and LCC methodologies.

MethodComparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC)

ProcedureDefined the goal and scope, established a functional unit (1 ha of planted surface), and set system boundaries from vineyard plantation to harvest ('cradle to gate') for a 25-year life cycle. An inventory of environmental impacts and costs was compiled for organic and conventional cropping systems, and espalier and gobelet training systems.

ContextAgricultural production systems (wine-growing)

Variables

IV["Cropping system (organic vs. conventional)","Training system (espalier vs. gobelet)"]

DV["Environmental impact indicators (from LCA)","Economic cost indicators (from LCC)"]

CV["Functional unit (1 ha planted surface)","Life cycle stages considered (plantation to harvest)","Life cycle duration (25 years)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Integration of two key sustainability assessment methodologies (LCA and LCC).
+Comparative analysis of distinct production scenarios.

Limitations

The accuracy of the findings depends heavily on the quality and completeness of the data collected for both LCA and LCC.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the consistency of data collection and the application of standardized LCA and LCC methodologies. Validity is enhanced by the comparative nature of the study and the integration of multiple sustainability dimensions.

Think critically

How might the exclusion of downstream processes (wine making, distribution, consumption) affect the overall sustainability conclusions for the vineyard management systems studied?

Design Principles

"Holistic sustainability assessment requires the integration of environmental and economic metrics across the entire product or system life cycle."

This integrated approach allows designers and producers to identify trade-offs and synergies between environmental impact and economic performance. It moves beyond single-issue optimization to reveal more robust and sustainable solutions.

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that to know if a farming method is truly good for the planet and your wallet, you need to look at both its environmental impact and its cost over its whole life, not just one or the other.

How to use in your project

1.Use the integrated LCA/LCC approach to justify design choices that balance environmental benefits with economic feasibility in your design project.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the importance of integrated sustainability appraisal, employing both Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to provide a comprehensive evaluation of production systems. By considering environmental impacts alongside economic costs across the entire life cycle, designers can make more informed decisions that lead to genuinely sustainable outcomes, moving beyond single-issue optimization to achieve a balance between ecological responsibility and financial viability.

Source

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)

Integrated Sustainability Appraisal of Wine-growing Management Systems through LCA and LCC Methodologies

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrated sustainability appraisal of wine-growing management systems?: When evaluating agricultural or production systems, consider both environmental impact (LCA) and total cost of ownership (LCC) to achieve true sustainability. Evidence: DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (2015).
Why does "Integrated Sustainability Appraisal of Wine-growing Management Systems" matter for design?: This integrated approach allows designers and producers to identify trade-offs and synergies between environmental impact and economic performance. It moves beyond single-issue optimization to reveal more robust and sustainable solutions.
How can designers apply this research?: When evaluating agricultural or production systems, consider both environmental impact (LCA) and total cost of ownership (LCC) to achieve true sustainability.
What were the main findings?: Integrated LCA and LCC can reveal complex interactions between environmental and economic performance of different agricultural systems.. Specific management choices (e.g., organic vs. conventional, training systems) have distinct and quantifiable impacts on both environmental footprint and cost.
What research method was used?: Comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC).
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing new agricultural products or processes, or when optimizing existing ones, conduct a combined LCA and LCC to understand the full sustainability profile.
What are the limitations?: The study's system boundaries excluded wine processing, distribution, and consumption, limiting the scope of the 'cradle to grave' analysis.