3. Allocation Methods
Allocation methods are a critical aspect of lifecycle assessments (LCA) and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) studies. These methods ensure the fair and accurate distribution of environmental impacts across products, processes, and lifecycle stages. This page explains Emvide's default allocation methods, manual override capabilities, and the documentation process to ensure transparency and consistency.
Overview
Allocation methods distribute shared environmental impacts, such as emissions or resource use, across multiple outputs or processes. Emvide provides a systematic approach to allocation, balancing automation with practitioner oversight to align with ISO and GHG Protocol standards.
Default Allocation Method
Mass-Based Allocation
The default method applied in Emvide is mass-based allocation, which attributes impacts proportionally to the mass of output products. This method is:
Widely Accepted: Commonly used due to its simplicity and direct correlation with environmental impact.
Scalable: Applicable across a broad range of product types and industries.
How It Works:
Emissions or resource use is calculated for the total system.
The total impact is divided based on the mass of each product output.
Results are integrated into the lifecycle inventory (LCI) and further refined during the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA).
Manual Overrides
When mass-based allocation is unsuitable, practitioners can override the default method using one of the following approaches:
1. Economic Allocation
Impacts are distributed based on the market value of output products. This method is particularly useful when:
Product values vary significantly.
Economic considerations better reflect the relative importance of outputs.
2. Energy-Based Allocation
Impacts are allocated based on the energy required to produce each output. This approach is relevant for:
Energy-intensive processes.
Products with differing energy profiles.
3. Custom Allocations
Practitioners can define bespoke allocation rules for specific scenarios, ensuring alignment with the study’s goals and context.
Documentation of Overrides
Emvide ensures transparency by requiring all allocation overrides to be documented. This includes:
Justification: A clear explanation of why the override was necessary.
Method Description: Details of the chosen allocation method and its implementation.
Nodal Points: Identification of the lifecycle stages or processes affected by the override.
Example Documentation:
"Economic allocation was applied to the [process name] stage due to the significant market value difference between co-products A and B. Impacts were distributed using revenue data from [source]."
Assumptions and Justifications
When direct allocation is not feasible, assumptions may be applied following industry standards. Key practices include:
Using historical data trends or industry benchmarks to estimate impacts.
Applying proxy data for similar processes or products when specific information is unavailable.
All assumptions are documented to ensure clarity and alignment with ISO 14067 and GHG Protocol requirements.
Key Features of Emvide’s Allocation Framework
Automated Allocation: Default mass-based allocation is applied seamlessly by Emvide’s CoPilot.
Override Flexibility: Practitioners can implement alternative methods based on the study's needs.
Transparency: Overrides and assumptions are clearly recorded in the final report and traceable to specific lifecycle stages.
Why Allocation Methods Matter
Choosing the right allocation method impacts:
Result Accuracy: Ensures that emissions are fairly distributed.
Compliance: Aligns with ISO 14067 and GHG Protocol standards.
Stakeholder Confidence: Demonstrates methodological rigour and transparency.
Additional Resources
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