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Purpose <p>Critical infrastructure systems face increasing challenges from natural hazards. However, traditional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) applications rarely account for the environmental impacts of hazard-induced damage and subsequent repair or replacement activities.</p> Methods <p>This paper introduces an exploratory methodological framework called the Disaster Risk-gUided scenarIo Definition (DRUID) method for integrating disaster risk considerations into LCA of infrastructure systems. The framework combines three components: (i) scenario development based on climate projections and socio-technical pathways, (ii) resilience simulation under disruption scenarios, and (iii) modeling of the consequences of disruptions on the environmental impact results. A pedagogical case study of a 1 MWp photovoltaic (PV) installation in southeastern France demonstrates the methodological approach by examining environmental consequences of strong wind events over a 30-year horizon using simplified assumptions and hypothetical parameters.</p> Results and discussion <p>The exploratory case study compares baseline LCA results with DRUID LCA scenarios incorporating different decision-making responses to wind-induced damage, including repair and repowering activities. Results suggest that traditional LCA may underestimate potential environmental impacts across multiple categories under certain circumstances, depending on hazard frequency, system vulnerability, and response strategies. Most scenario results showed minimal deviation from baseline impacts due to low incidence of severe wind events. However, cases involving repowering demonstrated potential for doubled impacts on most categories (EF 3.0 midpoint no LT), while land use impacts decreased due to the use of higher-efficiency PV panels.</p> Conclusion <p>This methodological exploration shows the conceptual feasibility of integrating disaster risk considerations into LCA. The findings suggest potential value in considering hazards, disaster risks, and adaptation measures in LCA, particularly for regions facing more intense climate hazards. However, significant empirical validation and methodological refinement are required before DRUID LCA can support practical infrastructure planning decisions. The study provides preliminary foundations for continued development toward more comprehensive disaster risk-informed environmental assessment capabilities.</p>

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DRUID LCA: a methodological approach to consider the effects of disaster risks in life cycle assessment

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月9日

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  • Alejandra Cué González,
  • Eric Rigaud,
  • Paula Pérez-López,
  • Benoît Gschwind,
  • Philippe Blanc

摘要

Purpose

Critical infrastructure systems face increasing challenges from natural hazards. However, traditional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) applications rarely account for the environmental impacts of hazard-induced damage and subsequent repair or replacement activities.

Methods

This paper introduces an exploratory methodological framework called the Disaster Risk-gUided scenarIo Definition (DRUID) method for integrating disaster risk considerations into LCA of infrastructure systems. The framework combines three components: (i) scenario development based on climate projections and socio-technical pathways, (ii) resilience simulation under disruption scenarios, and (iii) modeling of the consequences of disruptions on the environmental impact results. A pedagogical case study of a 1 MWp photovoltaic (PV) installation in southeastern France demonstrates the methodological approach by examining environmental consequences of strong wind events over a 30-year horizon using simplified assumptions and hypothetical parameters.

Results and discussion

The exploratory case study compares baseline LCA results with DRUID LCA scenarios incorporating different decision-making responses to wind-induced damage, including repair and repowering activities. Results suggest that traditional LCA may underestimate potential environmental impacts across multiple categories under certain circumstances, depending on hazard frequency, system vulnerability, and response strategies. Most scenario results showed minimal deviation from baseline impacts due to low incidence of severe wind events. However, cases involving repowering demonstrated potential for doubled impacts on most categories (EF 3.0 midpoint no LT), while land use impacts decreased due to the use of higher-efficiency PV panels.

Conclusion

This methodological exploration shows the conceptual feasibility of integrating disaster risk considerations into LCA. The findings suggest potential value in considering hazards, disaster risks, and adaptation measures in LCA, particularly for regions facing more intense climate hazards. However, significant empirical validation and methodological refinement are required before DRUID LCA can support practical infrastructure planning decisions. The study provides preliminary foundations for continued development toward more comprehensive disaster risk-informed environmental assessment capabilities.