An application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a green marketing tool for agricultural products: the case of extra-virgin olive oil in Val di Cornia, Italy

In recent years, the interest in environmental issues has increased, along with the idea that consumer choices can actually improve the performance of the production system. A large number of eco-labelling schemes have been introduced, both at private and public levels. In this study, we apply a life-cycle methodology to assess the environmental impacts associated with extra-virgin olive oil production. The results of LCA were used to set the environmental requirements of a local product qualification scheme defined according to the National Protocol (QUAM – Qualita` Ambientale), signed by two Italian Ministries and four Regional Governments, on the environmental qualification of cluster products. Using the three performance indicators taken from the LCA study and two input indicators, we defined a set of entry level requirements which each local producer must comply with in order to achieve the qualification.