Accounting for Scope 3 emissions for cities through a LCA approach: The City of Fredericia as a case study
Author
Mendes Varandas, Margarida
Term
4. semester
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-01-05
Pages
53
Abstract
This thesis investigates how cities can account for indirect (Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, with Fredericia as a case study focusing on the transport sector and the city’s Climate Plan. The method combines LCA-based calculations, desk research, and interviews with two municipal representatives. Findings indicate that total Scope 3 emissions from transport in Fredericia in 2021 are 835.56 tons CO2-eq per capita, higher than results for scopes 1 and 2; road transport contributes the most, followed by flight and rail. A scenario based on a transport goal in the Climate Plan yields 45,238.811 tons CO2-eq for the Cars category on Scope 3, exceeding both the baseline and the total transport sector level in 2021, with diesel cars as the largest contributors. The thesis argues that municipal climate plans often rely solely on direct emissions, and that incorporating Scope 3 via LCA can produce more accurate inventories and more effective, comprehensive mitigation strategies, despite methodological and governance challenges.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan byer kan opgøre indirekte (Scope 3) drivhusgasemissioner ved hjælp af en livscyklusvurderings (LCA) tilgang, med Fredericia som case og fokus på transportsektoren samt byens Klimaplan. Metoden kombinerer LCA-baserede beregninger, desk research og interviews med to repræsentanter fra kommunen. Resultaterne viser, at de samlede Scope 3-emissioner fra transport i Fredericia i 2021 er 835,56 ton CO2-ækv./capita, hvilket er højere end resultaterne for scopes 1 og 2; vejtransport bidrager mest, efterfulgt af fly og jernbane. Et scenarie baseret på et mål for transport i Klimaplanen giver for bilkategorien 45.238,811 ton CO2-ækv. på Scope 3, højere end både basislinjen og det samlede niveau for hele transportsektoren i 2021, med dieselbiler som største bidragyder. Afhandlingen peger på, at kommunale klimahandleplaner ofte udelukkende baseres på direkte emissioner, og at inddragelse af Scope 3 gennem LCA kan give mere retvisende opgørelser og dermed mere effektive og dækkende klimatiltag, selvom metoden er udfordrende for kommunernes handlemuligheder.
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Keywords
LCA ; cities ; sustainability