A life cycle environmental impact assessment of oil shale produced and consumed in Estonia

With 0.5–1.0% of the world's oil shale reserves, Estonia mines more than 48% of the total world oil shale output. Electricity, thermal energy and shale oil are produced from oil shale in Estonia. Enterprises operating on oil shale have been the main polluters in Estonia for several decades. A comprehensive quantitative analysis of the pressure on the environment and efficiency of the oil shale complex was carried out using Life Cycle Inventory and Material Flow Analysis methodologies. The results of this study are relevant to the implementation and further development of oil shale resource policies.