Recently GHGm was awarded a contract to develop and implement a life cycle analysis (LCA) model for the primary agriculture sectors in Manitoba, work done in cooperation with Farms.com.
This project offers GHGm an opportunity to demonstrate its extensive knowledge in agriculture, life cycle analysis, and environmental management, which the firm holds. Expert knowledge in production agriculture, agronomy, soils, atmospheric sciences, environmental standards (e.g. ISO 14040), and life cycle analysis software (SimaPro) are but few of the expertise and tools applied in the work.
The Manitoba agriculture LCA project aims to enhance the value and sustainability of the local agriculture industry, through the systemic analysis and assessment of the production systems using a comprehensive life-cycle approach.
GHGm President Dr. Steven B. Young was invited to two stakeholder meetings related to social and environmental responsibility in the supply-chain of metals in electronics. The Extractives Stakeholders Sessions were organized by Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), leading electronics industry groups concerned about environmental and social issues in their supply-chains. The meetings were attended by a cross-section of non-profit, governmental, mining industry and other stakeholders. Much of the focus is on the sustainability and human rights circumstances of mining and metal operations in developing countries.
The meeting objectives were:
To share progress made by EICC and GeSI and prospective goals on improving social and environmental conditions in the electronics supply chain, including summary feedback from Nov. 4th meeting;
To gather input from participants on current strategy in order to further refine goals and activities for 2009; and
To identify learnings from current initiatives and opportunities for collaboration
Steve presented GHGm’s study on Social and Environmental Responsibility in Metals Supply to the Electronic Industry. The study objectives were to understand how:
aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), gold (Au), palladium (Pd) and tin (Sn) are mined, recycled, purchased and used within the electronic industry
members of GeSI and EICC can effectively influence social and environmental issues associated with mining of metals used in electronic products.
Dr. Steven B. Young was invited to present at the session on Environmental Goods and Services at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Outlook Conference at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario. His presentation, entitled “From Environmental Footprint to Societal Value” was coauthored with Dr. Goretty Dias. It established a link from measuring impacts to valuing ecological services, and highlighted the role of LCA in contributing to an understanding of the valuation of environmental goods and services in agriculture.
GHGm has been awarded a contract to provide a cradle-to-gate LCA of four agriculture environmental technology projects for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The projects were originally funded by the Environmental Technology Assessment for Agriculture program, through the Agricultural Policy Framework. The technologies being analyzed range from forage management practices, to fruit and grain crop production, to manure management and energy production by anaerobic digestion. An established life cycle assessment (LCA) model is being expanded.
A GHGm report, “Social and Environmental Responsibility in Metals Supply to the Electronic Industry,” has been published by two electronic industry associations.
The study considers the supply and use of metals by the electronics industry, looking at understanding of the sources, the
supply chain and the social and environmental circumstances around how metals are mined, processed and recycled. Tin, cobalt, palladium, gold, copper and aluminum are specifically considered.
The research was commissioned by the EICC and the GeSI supply chain working group, which is looking at improving working conditions in the global electronics supply chain.
GHGm and BBI Biofuels Canada collaborated and successfully completed a key contract with Environment Canada on the “Quantification of Environmental Emissions from Conventional Biodiesel Production.” Working with an operating biodiesel facility, and using firsthandknowledge of the industry, GHGm and BBI provided a framework for emissions quantification to be used to improve Environment Canada’s capacity to predict, identify, and assess a range of environmental, regulatory, technical, and scientific issues. The final report provided a modeled quantification of emissions, addressed best practices in the biodiesel industry, and discussed issues of concern that would likely to be raised by an anticipated and dramatic increase in use of biomass for production of industrial chemicals and transportation fuels in Canada.
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has awarded GHGm a position on its roster of Environmental Impact Quantification Experts. SDTC stated that it “believes your firm will be a valuable addition to our team of experts and is pleased to add you to the roster of Environmental Impact Quantification Experts.”
GHGm is experienced with industrial products, agricultural systems, renewable energy solutions, materials and recycling, energy efficiency, transport and biofuels. Our tools include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and greenhouse gas measurement approaches.
We support SDTC project consortia across a spectrum of environmental benefit areas:
- Clean Air
- Climate Change
- Clean water
- Clean soil
GHGm assesses the environmental performance of products and services – creating value for our clients. We provide greenhouse gas project measurement, validation, verification and reporting. GHGm has pioneered the use of the ISO 14064 standards for GHG project measurement, and supports the technical basis of carbon credits as market mechanisms continues to evolve. We help clients realize the opportunity of carbon credits.
Our internationally-experienced team combines exceptional project management and technical practice to serve private, public and not-for-profit organizations
Published at February 19, 2008
in Agriculture and GHGm. Closed
With over 25 years of experience in agriculture, Gudmundur Johannesson has comprehensive and applied experiences from all levels of agricultural operations; from the farm level, through to government, academia, and private consulting. He has applied knowledge and experiences in organic waste management and environmental management. He has held positions in program management, research and development, teaching and lecturing, business management, and technical assistance. Mr. Johannesson has 8 years of consulting experience, with projects focusing on agronomy, soil, air and water management in agriculture. Clients have included industry, government and academia. Mr. Johannesson is educated in Agricultural Sciences (B.Sc) from the Agricultural University of Iceland, and organic waste and nutrient management (M.Sc.) from the University of Guelph, Canada.
The arena of bioproducts and biofuels continues to grow — and this is demanding continued examination of environmental impacts from associated agriculture and bioprocessing systems. GHGm has recently completed a Canadian project assessing the performance of biomass to usable energy, and is midway though an analysis of environmental aspects associated with biofuels facilities.
In an exciting expansion of service and capacity, GHGm is delighted to announce a new associate on our team: Meghan Spilka O’Keefe is a political scientist and geographer (yes, a true social scientist!). With keen research, analytical and writing skills, Meghan makes an excellent complementary addition to the natural scientists and engineers we already have.
After all, sustainable development is fundamentally about people, their motivations and organisation.