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PEF uses the same name but expresses results in Pt (points) representing soil quality changes, whereas ReCiPe 2016 uses m² yr. This change captures land quality more explicitly in PEF.

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Definition

Land Use (LU) measures the occupation and transformation of land for human activities related to a product’s lifecycle. Land use is expressed by the unit m2*year crop equivalents and refers to the relative species loss caused by a specific land use (relative to equivalent cropland

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Environmental Mechanism

Land use for human activities affects ecosystems through:
  • Habitat loss and fragmentation
  • Reduced biodiversity
  • Altered soil quality and structure
  • Changes in carbon sequestration capacity
  • Modified water cycles and runoff patterns
  • Landscape aesthetic changes
  • Ecosystem service disruption
Land use impacts vary based on the previous state of the land, the type and intensity of use, and the duration of occupation.

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Calculation in GREENZERO Journey

GREENZERO Journey calculates Land Use by:
  1. Identifying land use, which covers the process of land transformation, land occupation and land relaxation.  
  2. Applying characterization factors: ReCiPe provides characterization factors (CFs) for these impact mechanisms. CFs for the impact of land transformation and occupation are based on relative species losses calculated by De Baan et al. (2013) and Elshout et al. (2014). CFs for land relaxation are calculated based on the model from Köllner et al. (2007), using recovery times from Curran et al. (2014).  the midpoint characterization factor (in annual crop equivalents) for land transformation/occupation is based on the relative species loss caused by a cpecific land use type, proportionate to the relative species loss resulting from annual crop production.  the midpoint characterization factor for land relaxation to a (semi-)natural state (in annual crop equivalent·yr) is derived from model provided by Köllner et al. 
  3. Summing the total land use expressed in m2*year  crop equivalents
About ReCiPe 2016ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes.The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations.

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Environmental Cost Conversion

The Land Use impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: CE Delft Cost Factor for Land Use: €0.099 per m² yr This factor represents the societal cost of land occupation, including:
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Ecosystem service reduction
  • Reduced carbon sequestration
  • Soil degradation
  • Reduced recreational value
  • Cultural and aesthetic impacts

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Example Calculation

For a product with a Land Use of 5 m² yr per piece:

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Interpretation

Land use impacts are often dominated by agricultural activities for bio-based materials. Key contributors to Land Use in product lifecycles typically include:
  • Agricultural land for raw materials (crops, livestock)
  • Forestry for wood and paper products
  • Mining for minerals and metals
  • Industrial facilities and infrastructure
  • Transportation infrastructure
  • Waste disposal sites

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Reduction Strategies

Common strategies to reduce Land Use impacts include:
  • Increased material efficiency
  • Higher agricultural and forestry yields
  • Urban densification for industrial activities
  • Land restoration and rehabilitation
  • Use of degraded lands instead of pristine areas
  • Vertical farming and other space-efficient techniques
  • Recycling to reduce primary resource extraction

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Data Quality Considerations

When interpreting Land Use results, consider:
  • Previous land use state (conversion impacts)
  • Geographic specificity of land use
  • Duration of land occupation
  • Intensity of land use
  • Biodiversity value of affected areas
  • Reversibility of land use impacts
Land Use often correlates with other impact categories, particularly:
  • Global Warming Potential (through carbon storage changes)
  • Freshwater Eutrophication Potential
  • Water Use
  • Biodiversity Loss (not always quantified separately)
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