contribution of Inflow material in Gate-to-Gate setup

Question

Dear all!

in Gate-to-Gate analysis in the inflows at the gate are always accounted to the balance as "burden-free", i.e. without the impact of upstream activities (e.g. mining and processing of primary materials). But how about the electricity? It is also entering the system "burden-free"? If yes, I suppose the impact is mainly generated by the emissions to air and land, wastes, and heat in the product (which is being emitted the environment too afterwards).

Am I completely wrong or is the truth right in the middle?

Kind regards,

Dieter

Answer 1

Hi Dieter,

well I would say gate to gate looks at the main chain of processes in a life cycle (production of a bike from tubes, to the point of sale), you do not include then production of tubes but you include electricity and also paint etc. used in the production of the bike with their supply chain impacts in your model. Since this truncation is not totally clear and self-explanatory (is paint auxiliary and thus included or part of the main chain of processes and thus excluded) this needs to be documented.

Best wishes,

Andreas

Comments

Thanks! That is what I thought but I was not sure... it is always a trade-off, right?