# Life Cycle Assessment of Land Use Trade-Offs in Indoor Vertical Farming +
## 3 Results and Discussion
### Recommendations for Stakeholders  
Based on the first key result highlighted in this study, namely the overall reduction in environmental impacts when replacing grid mix electricity with electricity from rooftop PV systems during the use phase, it is possible to recommend that stakeholders adopt this technology wherever economically and technically feasible.  
Regarding economic feasibility, a cost-benefit analysis for GM and PV systems was outside the scope of this study. Moreover, feasibility is highly dependent on factors such as the location of the case study area, the scale of the operation, the specific technology employed and the type of cultivated crop.  
In terms of technical feasibility, technological innovations in this field are numerous and rapidly evolving. Photovoltaic panels are no longer limited to traditional rooftop installations; they can now be integrated into building facades, balconies, shading systems, and even windows through semi-transparent modules. This expanded range of applications allows for greater architectural flexibility and enables solar energy generation in urban environments with limited rooftop space. In general, both scenarios showed the minimal contribution from the construction phase to environmental impacts. This can largely be attributed to the implementation of IVF within existing buildings, which significantly reduces the need for additional material and energy, avoiding, then, related emissions. As such, the use of existing buildings appears to be particularly effective for UA. In many urban areas, abandoned or underutilized buildings, after losing their original function, could be repurposed for urban farming. This approach would not only reduce environmental impacts but also offer social and urban planning benefits. Another recommendation stems from the minimal environmental impact observed in the delivery phase. A key advantage of UA is the significant reduction in transport distances between producers and consumers, which leads to improved air quality and associated health benefits. It is therefore advisable to promote urban agriculture that is both located in and serves the city, with the goal of minimizing transport-related emissions.  
Focusing on specific sub-processes, composting emerges as particularly promising due to its ability to prevent emissions to air and associated environmental impacts. Current European regulations do not allow the disposal of organic waste in landfills, making material recovery the only viable management option. A forward-looking recommendation is to promote integrated strategies that combine anaerobic digestion with composting. This dual approach enables the recovery of both energy, through biogas, and valuable organic matter, enhancing overall resource efficiency and contributing to a more circular waste management system.  
From a technical, rather than a policy or management perspective, some directions deserve attention. The role of the substrate, specifically coconut fiber, appears particularly significant in terms of environmental impact. Coconut fiber is typically imported from distant tropical regions, which means that its production and especially its transport contribute considerably to the overall sustainability of the system. This underscores the importance of identifying alternative substrates with lower overall impacts. If such materials are locally sourced, or at least originate from geographically closer areas, they could support local supply chains and promote region-specific solutions for urban farming systems.