Supply Curves Using LCA and LCCA for Conceptual Evaluation of Proposed Policies to Improve the Environment

Many changes are being proposed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a multitude of sources, with the proposals based to varying degrees on science, economics, the potential to grow markets or shrink the markets of competitors, regulatory strategies, and attractiveness based on the ability to easily communicate the idea to the general public. Identifying, quantifying, and then selecting among the many possible strategies to achieve GHG reductions is difficult, especially without a standardized approach for comparison. A promising approach, supply curves, that has been used at a national level for developing abatement strategies for GHG reduction is proposed for use in this paper. Some of the critiques of past use of supply curves are being addressed through the use of the principles of consequential life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis. Pilot studies currently underway for a large state road agency and local governments will provide initial feedback on the ability to use this approach at a conceptual level for initial prioritization of alternatives. Initial results indicate that sufficient data can be gathered in a reasonable amount of time to compare alternatives and that the results can be compared on a much more consistent basis than has occurred previously.