How does biogenic carbon affect the climate? Professor Meilinger appointed Co-Chair of the Biogenic Carbon LCA Group

Carbon is known to be widespread in our atmosphere. This can be absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, for example. Plants then often serve as the basis for products or energy production. As a result, the biogenic carbon is released back into the atmosphere at the end of the product's life (with a certain delay). It is therefore first absorbed and then re-emitted, playing a decisive role in the carbon cycle and influencing the climate.

For that reason it is necessary to rethink the assessment of the climate impact of biogenic carbon.

The challenge: the climate impact of biogenic carbon
The International Life Cycle Initiative addresses the complex question of how to assess the climate impact of carbon in a life cycle assessment (LCA). For example, the following considerations are taken into account: Is biogenic carbon really climate neutral? Does the temporal dimension of carbon uptake and release need to be taken into account, and if so, how?

Prof. Stefanie Meilinger appointed Co-Chair
To address these issues, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Meilinger, Professor of Sustainable Technologies and Director of the International Center for Sustainable Development (IZNE), has been appointed Co-Chair of Working Group 1 "Temporal Aspects".Her expertise will help to drive forward the substantive discussion of the temporal aspects of carbon emissions.

Coordination and support
The overall project is coordinated by the University of Bath, UK, and supported by major sponsors. A Technical Advisory Board is also available to support and advise the project. The launch event will take place in London in July.