Mitigating environmental impacts of cineraria production in greenhouses: A life cycle assessment approach for sustainability

This study evaluates the environmental impacts of cineraria production in greenhouses using a LCA approach. The findings indicate a carcinogenic impact of 2.49E-03 kg C2H3Cl eq., with over 50 % attributed to electricity consumption for water pumping and ventilation. Natural gas use in electricity generation contributes an additional 1.30E-03 kg C2H3Cl eq. of aromatic hydrocarbons to the atmosphere. The ionizing radiation impact is estimated at 6.72E-02 Bq C-14 eq./FU, primarily driven by electricity use. The non-carcinogenic impact per cineraria plant totals 1.58E-02 kg C2H3Cl eq., mainly due to diesel combustion and the use of pesticides and fertilizers. To mitigate these effects, reducing diesel reliance and adopting biofuels and biofertilizers are recommended. The respiratory inorganic impact is recorded at 1.67E-04 kg PM2.5 eq./FU, largely stemming from diesel use, while ozone depletion is significantly linked to pesticides. Aquatic impacts result mainly from diesel combustion and nutrient runoff, which poses risks to human health and ecosystems. This study underscores the necessity of cleaner fuels and sustainable agricultural practices, advocating for ongoing assessments to promote ecological sustainability.