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
Azapagic, A.
(2009)
A Life Cycle Approach to Measuring Sustainability
in Chemistry Today. International Journal of Chemistry and Biotechnology.
Azapagic, A.
(2011)
Sustainable Development in Practice: Case Studies for Engineers and Scientists
Canals L
(2011)
Approaches for Addressing Life Cycle Assessment Data Gaps for Bio-based Products
in Journal of Industrial Ecology
Espinoza-Orias N
(2011)
The carbon footprint of bread
in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
Falano T
(2014)
Assessing the environmental sustainability of ethanol from integrated biorefineries.
in Biotechnology journal
Gujba H
(2011)
Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Management
Gujba H
(2013)
Passenger transport in Nigeria: Environmental and economic analysis with policy recommendations
in Energy Policy
Jeswani H
(2012)
Energy from waste: carbon footprint of incineration and landfill biogas in the UK
in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
Jeswani H
(2020)
Environmental impacts of healthcare and pharmaceutical products: Influence of product design and consumer behaviour
in Journal of Cleaner 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/ |