Abstract:

Life Cycle Assessment is a research method that has been used frequently in recent years. This method, which was first used to assess environmental impacts, has expanded its scope in social and economic impacts. In this way, Life Cycle Assessment enables a comprehensive social, economic, and environmental analysis of a product, that is, an analysis that includes all aspects of a product from its production to consumption and recycling. Life Cycle Assessment in agricultural research has differences as compared to the classical Life Cycle Assessment. Agricultural production is determined according to natural conditions and differs according to the product and the period. Therefore, the impact categories and functional unit of a Life Cycle Assessment research on agriculture should be adapted to agricultural conditions. In this research, the common conceptual framework of Life Cycle Assessment and its application to agricultural production were examined. The methodological framework of Life Cycle Assessment was also included in the study with its methodological differences from Environmental Life Cycle Assessment. The method can contribute to the implementation of sustainable production and consumption strategies in agricultural products. In this respect, the application of Life Cycle Assessment studies to agriculture, which includes both environmental and social dimensions, will provide feedback on the environmental impacts of the relevant production system and/or product to decision makers and policy makers, producers and consumers.

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