A consequential approach to life cycle sustainability assessment with an agent‐based model to determine the potential contribution of chemical recycling to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Chemical recycling (CR) could support a circular approach for municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment. In promoting the recirculation of recyclable carbon-containing as secondary feedstock chemical production, it contribute to resource conservation, emissions reduction, and supply security. To evaluate CR's contribution transition from linear carbon economy—and correspondingly achievement environmental, economic, social sustainability indicated in UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)—this study builds on extant literature life cycle assessment (LCSA) investigate consequential CR impacts. Specifically, an integrated whereby process-based assessment, techno-economic analysis, indicators are linked framework agent-based model is developed consequences via gasification residual MSW Germany. Results suggest that contributes reducing climate change addressing terrestrial acidification fossil scarcity. However, its deployment will be associated with significant system costs. Hence, promote implementation, measures such obliging direct incineration trade CO2 certificates—provided certificate prices increase sharply future—as well implementing rate found necessary gap economic disadvantages. This not only extending approaches LCSA methodologically, furthermore provides valuable insights into temporal spatial interactions management systems inform science, industry, politics about impacts UN-SDGs. article met requirements gold-gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.