The Olive-Oil Chain of Salerno Province (Southern Italy): A Life Cycle Sustainability Framework

Agriculture, and the related food systems, represents one of sectors that use most available water resources is responsible for a large part greenhouse gases increase in Earth’s atmosphere. The aim present research was to estimate three dimensions sustainability—identified by 2030 Agenda—of olive oil supply chain typical production area within Campania Region (South Italy), through analysis seven different systems: four certified as organic, two which irrigated (BIO1, BIO2, BIO-IRR1, BIO-IRR2); integrated (INT1, INT2); hobbyist (HOBB). novelty broad-spectrum sustainability evaluation these estimation their carbon footprints, some economic social aspects, classify them classes. So, Life Cycle Thinking approach used quantify environmental impacts issues, well costs 1 litre packed produced. Environmental were assessed thought life cycle assessment methodology, with focus on global warming footprint, using SimaPro 9.0 software Hoekstra respectively. cost performed costing while primordial built identifying stakeholders involved suitable impact categories. Results showed that, per oil, HOBB BIO2 systems emitted less CO2 eq (0.73 1.50 kg, respectively); BIO-IRR1 BIO1 smallest footprint (2.97 3.65 m3, lowest (3.11 3.87 €, respectively). From point view, INT1 INT2 pro-social systems. Overall, absolute sustainable system under various aspects considered. Hence need spread more (a) organic methods, characterized self-produced fertilizers (on-farm compost); (b) efficient machines use, saving fuel; (c) balanced nitrogen fertilization lower footprint.