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AHDB environmental and agricultural resource efficiency tool (EAGRET)
Summary
The project was successfully delivered, by drawing on learning from existing resource use/environmental impact decision support tools developed by consortium members, including the PAS2050 certified calculator from SRUC.
The tool, now known as EAgRET (Environmental and Agricultural Resource Efficiency Tool):
- Provides an interface that enables the user to input data, develop scenarios, analyse resource use efficiency and produce results
- Draws on two farm databases: a library of default farm data values for different farm and enterprise types based on analysis of existing farm survey and benchmarking data; and a database of user-defined farm data used in the analysis of LCA impacts, analysis of carbon footprints and scenario development.
The tool is driven by a calculation library and associated library of technical information. The calculation library contains the set of calculations required to determine LCA impacts and carbon footprints, and the boundaries of the LCA within the calculator extend from primary production, including raw materials, to farm gate. The technical and environmental data library contains the emission factors, soils and climate data required by the calculation library.
Sector:
Beef & Lamb
Project code:
74325
Date:
30 April 2013 - 30 March 2015
Funders:
AHDB Beef & Lamb
Total project value:
£199,364
Project leader:
ADAS UK Ltd
Downloads
74325 Final Report Oct 2015About this project
Aims and Objectives:
AHDB has created a tool to support its work for the food and farming community. This will enable understanding of how farm management decisions and the implementation of new approaches impact on using resources (including land) and on the environment and the economy.
The Environmental and Agricultural Resource Efficiency Tool (EAgRET) is a tailor-made, computer-based calculator tool which will enable AHDB staff to make comprehensive life-cycle inventory of environmental burdens and resource use.
EAgRET uses Lifecycle analysis (LCA) to assess the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life by monitoring established LCA criteria, including primary energy use (PEU), global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, abiotic resource use, pesticide use, land requirement, and extracted water use. This enables a comprehensive life-cycle inventory to be made of environmental burdens and resource use.
Approach:
The project was developed by a consortium of AHDB, ADAS UK Ltd (lead contractor) and Scottish Rural University College (partner) by drawing on learning from existing resource use/environmental impact decision support tools developed by consortium members, including the PAS2050 certified calculator from SRUC.
EAgRET:
- Provides an interface that enables the user to input data, develop scenarios, analyse resource use efficiency and produce results
- Draws on two farm databases: a library of default farm data values for different farm and enterprise types based on analysis of existing farm survey and benchmarking data; and a database of user-defined farm data used in the analysis of LCA impacts, analysis of carbon footprints and scenario development.
The tool is driven by a calculation library and associated library of technical information. The calculation library contains the set of calculations required to determine LCA impacts and carbon footprints, and the boundaries of the LCA within the calculator extend from primary production, including raw materials, to farm gate. The technical and environmental data library contains the emission factors, soils and climate data required by the calculation library.