On the interpretation of biogenic carbon flows in livestock LCAs: A comment on Blignaut et al. (2026)

Authors

• Andre M. Mazzetto, New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute
• Aaron T. Simmons, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, NSW
• Beverley Henry, Queensland University of Technology
• Christophe d'Abbadie, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
• David Styles, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway
• Goran Berndes, Department of Environmental and Energy Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology
• Maartje Sevenster, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
• Matthew T. Harrison, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania
• Richard Eckard, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, the University of Melbourne
• Warwich B. Badgery, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, NSW
• Annette Cowie, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, NSW

Document Type

Letter to the Editor

Publication Date

3-17-2026

Journal Title

Agricultural Systems

ISSN

0308-521X

Abstract

Blignaut et al. (2026) address an important and timely issue: how biogenic carbon flows are treated in life cycle assessments (LCA) of livestock-based fibre systems. Their effort to explicitly map carbon flows through a wool production system provides a clear illustration of carbon movements within the system. However, the paper interprets several biogenic carbon flows as carbon removals, which is not supported by standard LCA practice and is inconsistent with established GHG accounting frameworks.

Recommended Citation

Mazzetto, A M, Simmons, A T, Henry, B, d'Abbadie, C, Styles, D, Berndes, G, Sevenster, M, Harrison, M T, Eckard, R, Badgery, W B, and Cowie, A. (2026), On the interpretation of biogenic carbon flows in livestock LCAs: A comment on Blignaut et al. (2026). Agricultural Systems, 235 (104721).
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/ap_researchart/128