Agricultural crops are indispensable for a functioning society, but they are also associated with significant environmental impacts worldwide, related to the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, among other resources. As global population grows and food demand intensifies, the pressure on natural resources continues to rise. While food security remains a priority for governments, the environmental and human health impacts associated with agricultural inputs have received increasing attention in recent years, particularly in developing regions where agricultural activity plays a central role in the economy.
This project aims to assess whether the environmental impacts of agricultural crops in Peru have changed over time. To this end, a hybrid Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology combining traditional LCA with Environmentally Extended Input-Output (EEIO) analysis is applied to evaluate Peruvian agricultural crops across multiple decades. This hybrid approach allows for a more comprehensive and systemic understanding of environmental burdens across the entire agricultural supply chain. The impact categories analyzed include climate change, water withdrawals, and eutrophication.
The main objective of this study is to understand how environmental impacts related to the Peruvian agricultural sector have evolved in recent decades. The results of this research will be essential to identify trends, understand key drivers of environmental pressure, and delineate future sustainability strategies that can guide both public policy and industry decisions in the sector.
