Mapping environmental hotspots and LCA approaches
Within the Bio4HUMAN project, sustainability takes centre stage, not only through the identification of bio-based materials, but also through understanding their environmental performance in real-world humanitarian contexts. Bio4HUMAN lead partner of this important scientific effort is WeLOOP, an environmental consultancy specialising in circular economy strategies and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
As part of Work Package 5, WeLOOP conducted a detailed hotspot analysis to identify the key environmental impacts of both conventional and innovative bio-based materials used in humanitarian operations. Their work lays the groundwork for the next phase of Bio4HUMAN — a comparative assessment that will help guide the selection of the most sustainable solutions.
In this interview, we speak with Carolina Szablewski from WeLOOP to explore how environmental hotspots are identified, why local context matters, and how data-driven LCA insights can help humanitarian organisations make better decisions for people and the planet.
One of your Bio4HUMAN tasks focused on identifying environmental hotspots across reference and bio-based solutions. Could you briefly explain what a hotspot analysis is and why it is a critical first step toward understanding environmental performance in humanitarian contexts?
Carolina: A hotspot analysis identifies the main environmental indicators, processes, materials, and life cycle stages that contribute the most to the overall environmental impacts. This first step is essential to pinpoint environmental burdens. By identifying these hotspots, we provided a foundation for targeted improvements and informed decision-making.
Your analysis highlights the complexity of solid waste management in humanitarian operations – based on your findings, what types of waste or materials pose the most significant environmental challenges, and why?
Carolina: Packaging is the most problematic stream in humanitarian operations. These materials are often openly dumped or burnt due to inadequate waste management infrastructure in the DRC and South Sudan.
Open burning can release particulate matter, greenhouse gases, and toxic substances, while open dumping can generate plastic leakage and ecosystem damage.
Were there any findings from the Life Cycle Assessment that particularly surprised you and your team?
Carolina: One of the most striking insights was that bio-based materials are not necessarily more sustainable than fossil-based ones considering the whole life cycle. For example, polylactic acid (PLA) from biowaste shows higher climate change and resource use impacts than some fossil-based alternative, because of low process yields and high energy use. However, producing PLA locally in the DRC, using their electricity mix (hydropower) could significantly improve its environmental performance.
Another interesting result is the influence of electricity consumption in plastic transformation processes, reinforcing that energy mixes and manufacturing contexts are as important as material choices.
The report produced explores how local conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan influence environmental impacts. What did you learn about the importance of geographical context, such as local energy mixes or waste infrastructure, when assessing bio-based solutions?
Carolina: The energy mix directly affects climate change and resource use impacts of locally produced materials and of waste treatment solutions. Furthermore, waste valorization options differ, depending on if it is a rural or urban setting. For example, composting is better applied in rural settings, where effluent management can be used. Therefore, the environmental performance of circular solutions depends on local infrastructure and location.
How will the insights from the hotspot analysis feed into the next stage, and how can they support policymakers and humanitarian organisations in making more sustainable material choices?
Carolina: The hotspot analysis is the basis for the concluding task of WP5, where a comparative assessment will identify the most sustainable solutions. The findings could already help policymakers to prioritize local sourcing and renewable energy integration and context-specific waste treatment systems.
Finally, what are WeLOOP’s main takeaways from participating in Bio4HUMAN so far? How do you see this work contributing to the broader transformation toward circular and sustainable humanitarian supply chains?
Carolina: Humanitarian aid is critical, but it can also be more sustainable if tools are available for more sustainable procurement. By evaluating the full life cycle of these solutions, we are helping make sure that innovations not only work, but also respect the planet and the people they serve, where environmental responsibility complements humanitarian objectives.
Bio:
Founded in 2017, WeLOOP is an expertise and innovation office specialising in understanding, assessing, and improving the environmental, social, and economic performances of organisations. WeLOOP guides organisations in their circular economy and life cycle management projects, from strategy definition to implementation.