Linking PCF, LCA and Eco-design to help SMEs fight Climate Change Prepared by Andrew Southwood for the Network for Business Sustainability International.

Linking PCF, LCA and Eco-design to help SME’s

fight Climate Change

Prepared by Andrew Southwood for the Network for Business Sustainability

International Conference, Montreal, October 20 – 22, 2011

Climate action starts with small steps

1. A case of over specification2. The forgotten reasons

Quick Examples

Improving performance!

•Drives innovation•Reduces risk•Improves operational efficiencies•Bolsters brand loyalty

- Definition of a Lifecycle Analysis

“The goal of an LCA is to compare the full range of environmental performance assignable to products and services, and therefore choose the least burdensome one.”

Do you know the environmental impacts of your leading product?

How can LCA help you?

All products and services leave an impact • Energy used • Waste produced • Water consumed• Societal impact• Environmental impact

GHG Protocol – updated Oct 2011

Start with a PCF

•Carbon Data for GHG emissions is the only standardized environmental impact measurement •Energy = Fossil Fuels = embedded CO2 •Understand and act on hotspots

Eco-design

• Product or service design – lowest environmental impact in all LCA phase•Integrated perspective – multiple stakeholders•Cradle to Cradle the goal

Tying LCA, PCF and Eco-design together

•Use LCA as methodology to calculate a PCF•PCF number acts as benchmark for future improvements • LCA acts as guide in exploring various eco-design scenario’s to reduce CO2 impact

Which path is your sustainability path?

Other reasons to start LCA

•Your customers will demand it• Local, Provincial and Govt. policy may specify compliance and reporting• Understanding supply chain risks is vital to the survival of your business• The ability to speak to facts and not assumptions will bolster consumer confidence

Choosing an LCA tool that’s for you!

•What is your reason for your journey? •Different motivations require different tools •Can it be adopted by your organization?

Our Business Model

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. (Chinese proverb)

Bluehorse is not a consultancy.

Carbonostics is designed to be a smart decision-support tool, integrated into a client’s operating practices so that environmental impact is considered during the design and production of each and every product.

A range of products to meet every need

free & inaccurate

Accuracy

$ Cost

1 In some cases, at additional cost2 Defined as flexible in all stages of the LCA, from cradle to grave

3 Defined as widespread use in articles published in scientific journals4 Defined as 5 environmental indicators or more

Compare & Contrast

What you can do tomorrow

• Engage colleagues/employees• Select an LCA service provider• Run an LCA looking specifically at the PCF• Internalize the learning experience and act on the hotspots

Thank You

To learn more about Carbonostics

Schedule an online demoAndrew.southwood@bluehorseassociat

es.com

www.carbonostics.com