FOOD AND DRINK Beef Production Life Cycle Assessment Alberta, Canada
Project Summary
Beef Production Life Cycle Assessment Alberta, Canada
Key Project Elements Goal Definition and Scoping of the LCA Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) Focus on: -
Global warming potential (GWP) Eutrophication Acidification Non-renewable energy consumption
CRA and the Pembina Institute completed the first component of a multiyear project that evaluated the environmental and economic impacts of beef production in Alberta using life cycle assessment (LCA), on behalf of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD). The first phase of the project consisted of a comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) of the activities performed within the boundaries of the beef production system, based on the most recent available emission factor data. Alberta-specific data were utilised where available, and more generic data were adapted where possible. The boundaries of the project were from the birth of the animals through to delivery to the processing facility. This included analysis of vehicle transportation, feed and supplement production and delivery, carbon sequestration, on-farm energy usage, enteric fermentation emissions from the animals, waste and manure handling and disposal, and a series of other items that describe the life cycle of beef in Alberta under calf-fed and yearling-fed feeding systems. The environmental impact categories considered in the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) portion of the study were:
Global warming potential (GWP) Eutrophication Acidification Non-renewable energy consumption
Modelling was undertaken according to the principles established by ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006. The results of the study are intended to aid in product differentiation on environmental attributes, improve market access and competitiveness, aid in trade dispute resolution, encourage nutrient and water use efficiency, and develop potential carbon offset opportunities. A second phase of the project involved the comparison of several possible strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of beef production in Alberta, while creating economic benefit.
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