Automated generation of EPDs based on ERP integrated solution

The Zumtobel Group faces an increasing market demand for product related environmental data. In this presentation held by Sebastian Gann, the response to this challenge will be outlined. The proposed solution aims at the generation of Environmental Product Declarations based on data from the ERP system.

Sebastian Gann

Sebastian Gann is Environmental Program Manager at the Zumtobel Group








Sebastian Gann will speak at the Symposium Sustainability across the value chain, Oct. 25-27, 2011 in Stuttgart Germany.

Check out the full agenda & the workshop program and register now!

Sustainability driven from the top - a global perspective

The aspiration of Daimler's management is clear: Being one of the world's leading automotive companies - especially in CSR and Sustainability.  Learn about Daimler's method of implementing sustainability targets and strategies - effectively, operationally and credibly.

Dr. Wolfram Heger

Dr. Wolfram Heger is Senior Manager Corporate Social Responsibility at Daimler AG







Dr. Wolfram Heger will speak at the Symposium Sustainability across the value chain, Oct. 25-27, 2011 in Stuttgart Germany.

Check out the full agenda & the workshop program and register now!

Environmental Product Declaration for the International Committee of the Decorative Laminates Industry (ICDLI)

Since the beginning of this year the International Committee of the Decorative Laminates Industry (ICDLI) is compiling a Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) together with PE INTERNATIONAL. This EPD describes all important average environmental information of decorative laminates „from cradle to grave“. It supports architects and processors in chosing their material and assists the producers in improving the sustainability of their product. In all probability the EPD of the ICDLI will be issued at the beginning of 2012.

Implementing the sustainable value chain approach in the core of the business

The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan sets out ambitious goals to double the size of the business whilst reducing environmental impact.  Get detailed information background to the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan and how the understanding of the value chain impacts are helping to inform innovation at the core of the business.

Phil McKeown

Phil McKeown is Sustainability Manager at Unilever









Phil McKeown will speak at the Symposium Sustainability across the value chain, Oct. 25-27, 2011 in Stuttgart Germany.

Check out the full agenda & the workshop program and register now!

The essential role of energy efficiency for a sustainable europe

How industry and policy makers drive the current trend.

According to latest projections, the EU is only expected to achieve 9% of its 20% mandatory energy saving targets by 2020, not even 50% of its energy savings goal. This is a missed opportunity; not only does Europe have the technology TODAY to deliver far more than a 20% energy efficiency target, greater energy efficiency is one of the easiest and cheapest solutions for the EU to confront some of its largest modern-day challenges and ensure sustainable growth.

The EU’s proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive is a vehicle to help put the EU back on track on energy efficiency by bringing down barriers and providing certainty to drive public and private investments into the energy efficiency market. But the proposal needs to be strengthened and key articles need to be maintained during the legislative process over the next 6-12 months. Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy will explain why.

Monica Frassoni

Monica Frassoni is the President of the European Alliance to Save Energy








Monica Frassoni will speak at the Symposium Sustainability across the value chain, Oct. 25-27, 2011 in Stuttgart Germany.

Check out the full agenda & the workshop program and register now!

Consommation durable : expérimentation nationale de l’affichage des caractéristiques environnementales des produits

New information on the currently ongoing French National Experiment for environmental labelling has been published, including practical approaches for communication.

More information: www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

Draft version of the EU environmental footprinting methodology released

The European Commission has released a draft version of the EU environmental footprinting methodology currently under development.

DG ENV is now working together with the Commission’s JRC IES and other European Commission services towards the development of a harmonised methodology for the calculation of the environmental footprint of products (including carbon footprint).

This methodology will be developed building on the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook as well as other existing methodological standards and guidance documents (ISO 14040-44, PAS 2050, BP X30, WRI/WBCSD GHG protocol, Sustainability Consortium, ISO 14025, Ecological Footprint, etc).


You can find more information and the draft methodology here

GHG Protocol Standards for Product and Value Chain GHG assessments

The long awaited two new GHG Protocol Standards for Product and Value Chain GHG assessments were officially released. Visit www.ghgprotocol.org for more information. Here you can also download the new standards for free, as well as a range of accompanying tools and guidance documents.

Our GaBi software assess the Carbon Footprint of your products according to international standards such as ISO 14000 series, PAS 2050 or GHG Protocol.

LoyaltyOne Launches Second Accountability Report

LoyaltyOne Inc., a global provider of loyalty strategy and programs, customer analytics and relationship marketing services, has taken its sustainability efforts and successes ONE Step Further by launching its second public Accountability Report. The report is an entirely web-based, interactive report that is easily accessible, well suited for on-screen reading, provides internal links for easy navigation, and offers enriched multimedia features including videos highlighting the company’s achievements throughout 2010.  

PE INTERNATIONAL supported LoyaltyOne in the development of the report by collecting and verifying sustainability performance data, conducting interviews, writing the content and preparing the report to satisfy the Global Reporting Initiative's Application Level C.  

The level of transparency in this report combined with its innovative design demonstrates LoyaltyOne’s continued dedication to strengthening its sustainability efforts through enhanced stakeholder engagement and increased accountability.   

To view the report, visit LoyaltyOne's website at: www.accountabilityreport.loyalty.com

Vestas ranked sustainability leader 2011 by Dow Jones

Vestas, a leader in wind power solutions and a PE client, is now considered the most sustainable company in the world in the area of Renewable Energy Equipment by the world’s leading stock market index, Dow Jones. “Looking at the figures behind our new position it is obvious, that our comprehensive work with LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) on the V112-3.0 MW turbine and targets for reducing our carbon footprint has paid off,” says Lilian Harbak, Reporting Specialist with Vestas’ Sustainability department.

PE congratulates Vestas and the other companies in the DJSI 2011 who improved or maintained their position on their achievements.

Read more about Vestas' LCA and sustainability efforts



For more information please contact Jan Poulsen

Dole has partnered with PE INTERNATIONAL

Dole Food Company, Inc. will rely on PE´s SoFi software to consolidate the Company’s sustainability data into one software system. The software will assist Dole to calculate key performance indicators and will enhance Dole’s ability to establish, manage and meet program objectives at locations worldwide.

“SoFi will not only contribute to improving our sustainability reporting,” said Roberto Vega, Director of Sustainability at Dole Food Company, Inc. “It will also increase the efficiency of managing the Company’s information related to sustainability and allow us to set and achieve global objectives, instead of focusing on each operation separately.”

PE INTERNATIONAL is working with Dole on the implementation of SoFi, a central sustainability platform that transforms data from corporate activities into meaningful performance information. Dole is in the process of refining its key sustainability indicators, including the company’s carbon footprint, which will then be consolidated into SoFi and reported on a regular basis.

“Dole’s sustainability program is well established,” said Michael Betz, CEO at PE INTERNATIONAL. “With PE’s experience in the food and beverage industry we will assist Dole in bringing all the elements together to integrate sustainability as a key component of their day-to-day business - from enhancing processes and products through to reporting. We look forward to working together to achieve Dole’s sustainability objectives including lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions, benchmarking operations, and mitigating risks.”

For more information please contact Jeff Slye

InSinkErator – How to dispose 34 mio tons of food waste?

Food waste is a large component of our solid waste problem. And the question of what to do with it is a challenge for communities worldwide. Most of the food waste ends up in landfill, contributing to greenhouse gases.

PE INTERNATIONAL Inc. conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to help InSinkErator, a North American producer of disposers, to better understand the environmental impact of different food waste disposal systems.

The study examines various methods of transferring and disposing of organic food waste while measuring the global warming potential and primary energy demand of each process.

Read the summary of the study

For more information please contact Laura Mar

Truck Freight vs. Rail Freight – the next round

Environmental studies usually came to the conclusion that rail is generally the better and preferable environmental transport solution. In our recent study we demonstrated that a general statement, i.e. that rail is more environmentally friendly than road, cannot be made.

In the upcoming update focusing on Germany, we took into account most recent data available from rail companies. The results of the update confirm the findings of our previous study. A new case study, investigating the shift from road to rail of long-distance freight transport over distances beyond 300 kilometres, as proposed in the EU White Paper, revealed that CO2 emissions of rail and truck are in the same magnitude.

Depending on specific case parameter such as load factor, empty trips, precarriage and oncarriage either truck or rail performs better. This is a fact underlining our claim that a case-to-case investigation is required. 

Read the summary of the study 

For more information please contact Michael Spielmann

Australian Dairy study to establish industry´s carbon-cred

The Australian subsidiary of PE  is conducting a Life Cycle Assessment to establish the Australian dairy industry´s carbon footprint. The study aims to quantitatively evaluate the carbon footprint from a systems analysis point of view, i.e. farm-to-distributor´s warehouse or export harbour and focuses on the major dairy products produced for export and retail. Once completed in 2012, the assessment will identify the life-cycle phases with the highest environmental impact and highlight areas of potential improvement along the supply chain.

In the magazine Food & Drink Business, Neil van Buuren, the project leader, states “The study will generate a reliable basis for carbon footprinting, environmental product reporting and product labelling, for example environmental product declarations and carbon-reduction labels. It will enable benchmarking at both the farm and the corporate level to help drive best practice.”

More widely, it will support strategic decision-making to promote a more competitive Australian dairy industry and build the basis for sustainable leadership.

Australia is being told that it needs to increase its food supply by 50% by 2050 without increasing the amount of resources it uses. “All food production comes at an environmental cost and CO2 emissions arise at all points of supply chain,” van Buuren says.” This study is part of the dairy industry´s response to that challenge.”

For more information please contact Barbara Nebel

First Light house

Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand’s capital city, has been selected as one of 20 university teams to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 – the only entry, ever, from the southern hemisphere.

The First Light house is designed not only to operate as a sustainable, energy efficient and high performance building that minimises the environmental burdens and conserves resources but also focuses on recreation, socialisation, and outdoor living. However, the students realised that the operational environmental impact is only one part of the picture.

Although a Life Cycle Assessment is not one of the competition categories, the students were keen to use a LCA as part of their story around their house. PE INTERNATIONAL supported the students by undertaking a comprehensive analysis to quantify the environmental performance of the First Light house for construction, operation, maintenance and disposal. In addition to this we trained Victoria University students in the GaBi software and provided LCA seminars.

PE INTERNATIONAL wishes the First Light Team all the best for the completion of the project.

About the competition:
The US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 university teams, through a series of 10 contests, to demonstrate inventive clean-energy solutions by building solar-powered houses that feature cost-effective, energy-efficient construction and incorporate energy-saving appliances and renewable energy systems.

This year the Solar Decathlon will take place on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park, which is nestled amongst national landmarks and memorials, and is just a stone’s throw from the White House. The competition runs from September 23th to October 2nd.



more information: www.firstlighthouse.ac.nz

Carbon Footprint Standard ISO 14067

Carbon Footprint Standard ISO 14067 is to be published in the next two years. This Standard will influence New Zealand’s marketing of export products and will ensure that reliable information is provided on the carbon footprint of products.

Barbara Nebel, PE INTERNATIONAL (Australasia) is New Zealand’s representative on the ISO committee developing this standard and co-chairs the Standards New Zealand International Review Group on Life Cycle Assessment (IRG LCA).


‘My role as Co-Chair of the IRG LCA is to represent New Zealand’s best interests in carbon footprinting,’ says Barbara. ‘I think it’s critical to get an internationally agreed Standard to provide a level playing field for all players. ISO 14067 will do that by providing a standardised approach to calculate and communicate carbon footprint.’

read the full interview with Barbara Nebel

Massey University offers PhD Scholarships

The New Zealand Life Cycle Management Centre is offering two exciting opportunities to outstanding candidates with research interests in Life Cycle Management.

You will study for a PhD at Massey University in association with a Crown Research Institute (AgResearch or Scion). The PhD is funded through a Massey University scholarship for three years of study; this includes all academic fees and a tax-exempt stipend of $25,000 per annum.

Applications close on the 30th September, and more information can be found on the NZCLM website.

The NZ Life Cycle Management Centre is a collaboration between Massey University and three research institutes to build capability in Life Cycle Management (LCM) in New Zealand.

Turkey – Sustainability report

Akçansa Çimento, Turkey’s largest cement producer has sought to get a better understanding of sustainability within the whole organisation. Together with PE INTERNATIONAL, Akçansa Çimento developed industry specific key performance indicators and set sustainability targets which allow for monitoring and improving the sustainability performance of the enterprise.

With the support of expert consultants a sustainability report and a communication plan were developed. The report achieved a B-level verification from the GRI.

The Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) is about to introduce a sustainability rating, for which Akçansa Çimento, publicly listed on the ISE, is now extremely well placed.

For more information please contact Matthias Reimers

GaBi 5 & Databases ’11 - the new generation of product sustainability

GaBi 5 & Databases ’11 are the next generation of LCA technology providing LCA experts and LCA debutantes with confidence for making good business decisions and for issuing accurate and reliable external communications. All Life Cycle Assessment practitioners will experience more efficiency in modelling for faster LCA studies and easier communication of actionable Life Cycle Assessment results.

GaBi 5 and the Databases ’11 establish Life Cycle Assessment as an essential tool for the whole organisation to develop more sustainable products and processes while increasing resource efficiency and reducing cost.


Contact us now for a demo and offer.

More information on GaBi 5 and Databases ’11 here.

Symposium 2011 - Early Bird

Once again, PE INTERNATIONAL is hosting its annual symposium: a high-profile knowledge-sharing event where sustainability professionals and experts meet to share perspectives, current trends and market opportunities.


This year’s symposium, “Sustainability Across the Value Chain: The Successful Implementation of Strategies” links theory with practice.


Location: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Germany

Date: October 25-27

Highlights:

• Pioneers of sustainable management share strategies, management programs, approaches and solutions
• Best practices from sustainability leaders regarding the whole value chain in different industries
• Enhance your network and exchange ideas with experts from all over the world

Check the Agenda and register now. Participants that register before October 1st receive a 30% early bird discount.