MP11A Case Studies on Fisheries Products
C120-122
1:20 PM - 4:40 PM, Monday
() Potentials and obstacles associated with the application of life cycle approaches in developing countries: a case study of shrimp aquaculture product from Thailand.
Mungkung, R1, Udo de Haes, H2, Clift, R1, 1 Centre for Environmental Strategy (CES), University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK2 Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT- Life cycle approaches are becoming widely used, not only for improving environmental performance of products and services, but also for enhancing the social and economic dimensions of sustainable production and consumption. The application of Life Cycle Assessment/Life Cycle Management (LCA/LCM) is increasingly promoted in various industries including SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in developing countries. However, life cycle approaches have not yet been applied in developing countries at a large scale. This paper reports on the potentials and obstacles associated with the application of life cycle approaches in developing countries, both in a national and international context. The LCA/LCM application in Thai shrimp aquaculture production will be used as case study. At the national level, particular attention will be paid to technical barriers for LCA application in Thailand. The possibilities and limitations to include the relevant environmental issues of shrimp aquaculture in LCA will be described. Based on the case study, the market access of eco-labelled products and the social impacts as well as other cost aspects associated with the engagement in eco-labelling schemes will be discussed. At the international level, attention will be paid to the discussion on the question whether the requirements on products or related process and production methods (PPMs) do act as technical barriers to trade in the framework of WTO agreements. This paper aims to contribute to the identification of promising lines of action for aquaculture SMEs in developing countries to participate in life cycle approaches.
Key words: shrimp aquaculture, life cycle approaches, Thailand