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Environmental Science & Technology
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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PubMed Central
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: PubMed Central
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Learning Curves in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment

Authors: Mitchell K. van der Hulst; Mara Hauck; Selwyn Hoeks; Rosalie van Zelm; Mark A. J. Huijbregts;

Learning Curves in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

Environmental learning curves have great potential to predict future changes in environmental footprints of technologies as part of prospective life cycle assessments. However, concrete guidance is currently missing on how to integrate environmental learning curves into prospective life cycle assess ments. Here, we propose a method to combine (i) process-specific environmental learning curves for key technology parameters and (ii) projections from integrated assessment models to include relevant changes in background processes, such as expected decarbonization of the electricity grid. Our method enables process contribution analyses, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, and flexibility in the assessment of various impact categories. Application of our proposed method is demonstrated in a case study assessing various environmental footprints of producing monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels. We showed that environmental footprints reduce 21−80% between 2020 and 2050 through a synergy of (i) and (ii). Footprint reductions were mostly driven by background changes when decarbonization is extensive, whereas process-specific environmental learning curves become the major driver for footprint reductions when developments in background processes follow a similar trajectory as charted by the past. Our method may also be used in the assessment of emerging technologies by applying process-specific environmental learning curves to mature parts of their supply chain.

Keywords

Technological change, Environmental footprint, Ex ante, LCA, Emerging technology, Technological learning, Urbanisation, experience curve, Photovoltaics,, Article

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
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