Data collection protocol

This document shows the data collection protocol to perform the sustainability assessment of different 4CE-MED cropping systems by applying life cycle thinking methodologies. Within 4CE-MED project, WP4 will select 3 countries and trials will be selected to compare the sustainability performance of current situations with the introduction of 4CE-MED cropping systems. The cases will belong to three major camelina cropping models presented in the project: Model A introduces Camelina to replace fallow in winter cereal sole-cropping systems, in marginal areas with very dry climate; Model B considers Camelina as a double-cropping cultivation in autumn, to precede typical Mediterranean summer crops; and Model C uses Camelina as a double-cropping in late spring/early summer in colder areas to follow winter pulses (e.g. pea) or cereals harvested as fodder. The selected cases would have followed the experimental protocol presented in WP2. This protocol is based on the Methodological framework to develop life cycle thinking assessment on 4CE-MED systems (D4.1). A literature review was also conducted for this deliverable, which allowed to observe there is limited LCA, E-LCC and S-LCA studies of the Camelina crop in Mediterranean regions. Most of the information found is referred to the application of Camelina as biofuel, while some articles even highlighted that camelina is not used as food. The definition of a goal and scope, expressed in the methodological framework for the assessment, expects to conduct a cradle-to-farm gate assessment with functionality based mostly on yield, and a perspective based on the crop succession. Functional unit is expected to be mass based, with derivations towards the environmental, economic and social impact categories of interest. The environmental dimension will refer to midpoint categories, with a consistent use as in most of the studies of Global Warming Potential, Eutrophication Potential and Terrestrial Acidification Potential. Regarding the economic dimension, cost categories, income and net margin will be observed, and the social dimension will include impact categories that range from endpoint to midpoint categories, where human rights, working conditions and community are to be addressed.