Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of IndustrIal Activities (CCaLC)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Chem Eng and Analytical Science
Abstract
A successful transition to a low carbon economy will depend on a number of technological, economic, environmental and social factors. However, before we start this process, it is important to understand the full environmental and economic implications of any step changes that this transition may require. In this project we propose to concentrate on developing a methodology and decision-support tools that would help us understand and evaluate environmental and economic consequences of the changes required for the decarbonisation of the economy. In particular, we propose to develop a methodology for a life-cycle estimation of carbon inventories in different supply chains. The project will also investigate the options for, and the associated costs of, carbon mitigation measures by considering standard economic parameters such as investment and operating costs and value added, together with uncertainty and risk where appropriate. The intention is that the methodology and the tools will be usable for investigation of future scenarios, involving completely new technologies and products. The tools will also help companies to respond to the activities such as carbon management and emissions trading. The industrial sectors to be considered in the project include Chemicals and related products, Food and Drink, Bio-feedstocks and Biofuels.
Organisations
- University of Manchester (Lead Research Organisation)
- Carbon Trust (Co-funder)
- Natural Environment Research Council (Co-funder)
- Crown Paints (Collaboration)
- B&Q (Collaboration)
- Premier Foods Group Ltd (Collaboration)
- Shell Global Solutions International BV (Collaboration)
- A.G. Barr (Collaboration)
- Kellogg's (Collaboration)
- J.W. Ostendorf GmbH (Collaboration)
- Croda International (Collaboration)
- Hydro Polymers Ltd (Collaboration)
- Johnson Matthey (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Huhtamaki UK (Collaboration)
- Shell Chemicals in Europe (Project Partner)
- Ineos (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
A Azapagic
(2010)
Assessing Biomass Options for Electricity Generation on a Life Cycle Basis
in Waste and Biomass Valorisation
A Azapagic
(2011)
Sustainability Issues in Food Provisioning Systems.
A Azapagic
(2010)
CCaLC Tools, Databases & User Guidance Manuals
Amienyo D
(2016)
Life cycle environmental impacts and costs of beer production and consumption in the UK
in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
Amienyo D
(2012)
Life cycle environmental impacts of carbonated soft drinks
in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
Amienyo D
(2014)
Environmental impacts of consumption of Australian red wine in the UK
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Azapagic A
(2014)
Sustainability considerations for integrated biorefineries.
in Trends in biotechnology
Azapagic A
(2010)
Ecosystem Services
Azapagic A
(2011)
Handbook of Biofuels Production
| Description | A carbon-footprinting software helping companies and individuals to estimate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their products and activities. |
| Exploitation Route | The software can used by companies, government bodies, universities and individuals to manage the environmental impact of their activities. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Education Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Retail Transport |
| URL | http://www.ccalc.org.uk |
| Description | Research in this project developed a methodology for Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of Industrial Activities (CCaLC), providing 'cradle to grave' carbon footprint estimates for commercial products. The methodology was embedded in a set of software tools designed to be used by non-experts, allowing companies to perform carbon footprinting in-house. The software is free to download, currently with over 5000 users in more than 80 countries. The methodology and software tools have been endorsed by BERR (now BIS), DEFRA and the World Bank, and used widely by industry, across a range of sectors, to reduce carbon footprints of their products. This has resulted in significant environmental and socio-economic benefits, including estimated climate change mitigation gains in excess of £450m. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Education,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Description | AG Barr plc |
| Organisation | A.G. Barr |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | B&Q Plc |
| Organisation | B&Q |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Croda |
| Organisation | Croda International |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Crown Paints |
| Organisation | Crown Paints |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Huhtamaki (UK) Ltd |
| Organisation | Huhtamaki UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Hydro Polymers Ltd |
| Organisation | Hydro Polymers Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | J.W. Ostendorf GmbH |
| Organisation | J.W. Ostendorf GmbH |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Johnson Matthey Catalysts |
| Organisation | Johnson Matthey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Kellogg's |
| Organisation | Kellogg's |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Premier Foods Group Ltd |
| Organisation | Premier Foods Group Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Shell Chemicals in Europe |
| Organisation | Shell Global Solutions International BV |
| Department | Shell Chemicals in Europe |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Title | CCaLC |
| Description | A carbon-footprinting software that helps companies and individuals to estimate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their products and activities. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2010 |
| Impact | Research in this project developed a methodology for Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of Industrial Activities (CCaLC), providing 'cradle to grave' carbon footprint estimates for commercial products. The methodology was embedded in a set of software tools designed to be used by non-experts, allowing companies to perform carbon footprinting in-house. The software is free to download, currently with over 5000 users in more than 80 countries. The methodology and software tools have been endorsed by BERR (now BIS), DEFRA and the World Bank, and used widely by industry, across a range of sectors, to reduce carbon footprints of their products. This has resulted in significant environmental and socio-economic benefits, including estimated climate change mitigation gains in excess of £450m. |
| URL | http://www.ccalc.org.uk/ |