Life Cycle Assessment and Cost–Benefit Analysis as Combined Economic–Environmental Assessment Tools: Application to an Anaerobic Digestion Plant

In the present study, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA), we assess economic–environmental performance of an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, fed by cultured crops (i.e., maize wheat), in Italy. The biogas generated AD plant is used for production electricity, imputed into Italian energy grid. LCA evaluated potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured via Carbon Footprint (CF), while CBA analysed financial economic profiles Net Present Value (NPV) Internal Rate Return (IRR) indicators. strength combining these methodologies joint examination social–environmental plant. results are complemented with GHG emissions avoided producing electricity from biogas. CF 0.28 kg CO2eq·kWh?1 produced mainly due to nitrogen fertilizers involved additional feedstock matrix flour). CBA, negative NPV IRR, which lower than discount rate applied, highlight inability net revenue repay initial investment. Regarding social desirability, analysis, enriched outcomes, shows a positive performance, demonstrating that combination information different enables wider consideration line Recovery Resilience Plan’s aim strongly increase exploitation renewable resources, dedicated could valorise marginal uncultivated land, obtaining without consuming land food production. Moreover, this contribute creation repeatable small-scale systems able sustain demand local communities.