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The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment

Erschienen in:

01.11.2015 | LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT

Rationality of eco-efficiency methods: Is the BASF analysis dependent on irrelevant alternatives?

verfasst von: Harald Dyckhoff, Amira Quandel, Katrin Waletzke

Erschienen in: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment | Ausgabe 11/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims at testing and improving the BASF eco-efficiency analysis (EEA) with regard to the rationality axiom “independence from irrelevant alternatives” (IIA). If this axiom is violated, rankings could be biased or influenced subjectively by the choice of considered alternatives.

Methods

We introduce an artificial yet realistic “irrelevant alternative” in an EEA case study and compare the ranking results. The different stages of the EEA are analysed to uncover the potential source(s) of the detected violation.

Results and discussion

The example proves the violation of the IIA rationality axiom in the EEA. It is shown at which stages and how the weights in the aggregation process have to be adjusted to avoid this shortcoming.

Conclusions

In specific constellations, the EEA may violate the IIA rationality axiom. By adequately adjusting the weights at certain stages of the aggregation process, this shortcoming can be avoided. Also, the results account for the relevance of basic principles derived from decision theory in the life cycle assessment/sustainability context.

Vorheriger Artikel Foregone carbon sequestration due to land occupation—the case of agro-bioenergy in Finland

Nächster Artikel Integrated assessment of environmental impact of Europe in 2010: data sources and extrapolation strategies for calculating normalisation factors

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Titel: Rationality of eco-efficiency methods: Is the BASF analysis dependent on irrelevant alternatives?
verfasst von: Harald Dyckhoff
Amira Quandel
Katrin Waletzke
Publikationsdatum: 01.11.2015
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment / Ausgabe 11/2015
Print ISSN: 0948-3349
Elektronische ISSN: 1614-7502
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-0957-9

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results and discussion

Conclusions

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