Evaluating the Environmental Inputs and Outputs of School-Based Community Gardens through Life Cycle Assessment

These days, environmental stresses like stormwater runoff, the Urban Heat Island effect, and biodiversity loss have increased due to fast urbanization. By enhancing water management, cooling microclimates, and promoting social and educational advantages, community gardens provide a comprehensive solution. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used in this study to examine every stage of construction for the community garden at Beijing No. 4 High School. According to the results, plant growth and the recycling of organic waste account for a net reduction of roughly 468 kg CO per year. Such gardens could promote good nutrition, mental health, and civic involvement while offering practical sustainability education if they were implemented in all Beijing schools. These results show that incorporating gardens into schools is an inexpensive, effective way to promote climate action and urban resilience.