Carbon Footprint and Crop Residue Valorization in African Agroecological Systems: An Integrated Life Cycle Assessment

  Paper ID: 399 | Format: Oral presentation CIGR EurAgEng World Congress 2026 (Turin, 24–26 June 2026) Disseminate CIRAWA research on carbon footprint assessment and crop residue valorization in African agroecological systems through an integrated Life Cycle Assessment approach. The activity links environmental assessment, climate impact analysis and valorisation of agricultural residues, contributing to knowledge transfer on agroecological systems and circular use of biomass resources.  This study evaluates the carbon footprint of major African crops (maize, sorghum, millet and rice) and the environmental implications of residue valorization into bioenergy pellets and bio-based construction bricks. LCA was conducted in accordance with ISO 14040/14044, from soil preparation to harvest (cradle-to-farm-gate), with results expressed in kg CO₂-eq per kg of product using the IPCC 2021 GWP100 method. Residue management was analyzed through a comparative LCA of three scenarios: (i) conventional practices (open burning), (ii) pellet production for thermal energy substitution, and (iii) incorporation into compressed bio-based bricks. Functional units are 1 kg of harvested crop and 1 kg of treated residue. Results show that fertilizer inputs and fuel use dominate crop emissions, while residue valorization reduces net emissions via fossil fuel displacement and substitution of conventional construction materials.