Table 1 LCA applications in heritage science with an outline of the studies systems, examined environmental hotspots, frequently used databases and software, and observed limitations
Studied system | Hotspots | Impact Methodology/Software/database used | Uncertainty/Sensitivity analysis | Limitations | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sample preparation in analytical chemistry | Energy, materials, CO2 emissions, waste, ecotoxicity, acidification, etc | Ecoinvent 3.7.1 database; ReCiPe 2016; Brightway2 software; French and European environmental data (the assessment is focused on the local context) | Yes | Lack of data in databases, use of generic database; exclusion of some components in the LCA calculations | [51] |
Urban strategies | Energy, water, waste, materials, global warming, etc | Review of life cycle thinking tools | No | Limitation of studies in social life cycle assessment due to the complexity of the field | [54] |
Restoration scenarios of buildings | Energy consumption; carbon emissions | Literature; One Click LCA; BIM/Revit | No | Lack of more detailed choice of materials and technologies in an advanced design process; and lack of socio-economic indicators | [55] |
Restoration scenarios of buildings | Building materials, construction and energy; the 16 ILCD impact categories | OpenLCA 1.10.3 software; Ecoinvent 3.7 database | Yes | Results cannot be used to make generalization on the environmental performance of restoration for historical building due to the different context; uncertainty related to the future; and lack socio-economic indicators | [56] |
Energy production systems in buildings | Power/energy CO2 emissions, waste, damages on health and biodiversity | Ecoinvent 3.4 database; CMA C1 and CMA C2 | No | The reliability of long-term planning/modelling is questionable and there is a need for a simplified model as running | [57] |
Conservation materials of built heritage | Materials used, energy CO2 emissions and others | GaBi 6.115 software; Ecoinvent 3.1 database; CML 2001 | Yes | Lack of data in databases; the impacts of nano-particles were not considered, Uncertainties of some of the results still exist | [58] |
Seven cleaning methods and materials | Types and amounts of materials used, energy, water emissions, waste, etc | Data gathering from companies; SimaPro 8.5.2.2 software; Ecoinvent 3.4 database; IMPACT 2002 + ; CML-IA baseline; IPCC GWP 100a; TRACI 2.1 | Yes | Lack of consistent precise data in LCA databases; lack of analysis of the nature, thickness, and hardness black crusts; the need to take into account the skills and experience of the conservators involved in the cleaning processes | [59] |
Tourism | Materials, waste, energy, footprint, water, toxicity, smoge, ozone depletion, etc | Review of LCA tools in tourism; CML-2001; ReCiPe etc | No | Almost half of the studies of LCA in tourism examined only the environmental aspects of tourism without including the social and economic aspects; complexity of tourism sector and products; lack of relevant LCA database, and the neglect of local context | [60] |
HVAC system shutdowns | Energy cost reduction | SimaPro 7.3.; Ecoinvent 2.2; EPA’s Tool for TRACI | No | The individual nature of building structures, outdoor climate and gallery usage make the findings to other institutions problematic | [62] |
Exhibition loans aspects | Energy and materials used. footprints, costs | SimaPro 7.3.; Ecoinvent 2.2; EPA’s Tool for TRACI | No | No social indicators | [62] |
Cleaning systems | Climate change, ozone depletion, smog, acidification, water, toxicity, etc | Ecoinvent; TRACI | No | Other tools involved in cleaning were excluded, such as tools used to apply the cleaning systems | [64] |
Cardboard archive box | Raw materials, energy, water, waste, costs, etc | EcoInvent database v3.6, SimaPro LCA software, ReCiPe 2016 endpoint and midpoint methods, data collection, questionnaires | Yes | Several assumptions were made due to lack of data, modelling and uncertainty results need to be improved, and sensitivity analysis was not performed in all phases | [65] |
Anoxia systems | Acidification, carcinogenics, ecotoxicity, eutrophication, fossil fuel depletion, global warming, non-carcinogens, ozone depletion, respiratory effects, and smog | OpenLCA (v1.10.3); Ecoinvent database (v3.7, APOS); TRACI v2.1 | Yes | Excluding the materials and inputs required to produce the original artwork as well as the humidity control | [66] |
Conceptual protocol on Cultural Heritage Life Cycle Management | LCA, LCC, S-LCA impacts including Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, heritage value | – | No | Lack of framed sustainability analysis tool | [67] |