RESEARCH & EVENTS
Creating a better future for almonds
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FOR the Almond Board of Australia ( ABA ), sustainability refers to actively preserving the long-term , economic , social , and environmental viability of the Australian almond industry . The importance of sustainability is being increasingly recognised across many sectors , including horticulture . The ABA and Hort Innovation both recognise the importance of ensuring that the Australian almond industry is sustainable and profitable in years to come . A Life Cycle Analysis project , funded through Hort Innovation with the almond R & D levy and supported from the Almond Board of Australia , was undertaken to better understand the environmental footprint of the Australian almond industry . As part of this project Edge Impact ( a global full-service impact consultancy ) conducted a cradle-to-processing gate Life Cycle Assessment ( LCA ) to quantify the environmental footprint of almond production and provide guidance on how the Australian almond industry can reduce its environmental impact . The scope of the LCA included all Scope 1 , 2 and 3 emissions associated with almond production , including emissions produced upstream and downstream of farms and processing facilities . The LCA boundary ended at processing , transport emissions from the processing facilities to customer depots were included , but no further downstream impacts . Emissions not directly related to almond production , such as those generated from office electricity use or employee transport , and End of Life ( EOL )
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In A Nutshell - Summer 2023 Vol 24 Issue 4
A Life Cycle Analysis project has helped understand the environmental footprint of the Australian almond industry .
scenarios associated with almond kernels , hulls and shells and associated emissions were not included in the scope . Scope 1 emission sources - The sources of emissions that are owned or controlled by a grower or processor controls directly : e . g . burning fuels like diesel , natural gas in vehicles and equipment , that are owned and operated by the grower or processor . Scope 2 emission sources – Emission sources generated off-site not directly controlled by a grower or processor , but is purchased or used by the grower or processor : e . g . electricity . Scope 3 emission sources - All indirect emission sources in the value chain of a grower or processor , including upstream and downstream emissions : e . g . the use of synthetic fertiliser , pest control chemicals , water and waste treatment and transport . The aim of the LCA was to quantify the environmental impacts of almond production . The LCA Impact was measured as Global Warming Potential ( GWP ). GWP is used to standardise the impact of different greenhouse gases on global warming , allowing for easier comparisons . It translates almond grower and processor practices into a quantified estimate of global warming emissions , using an standardised methodology establishing a baseline of environmental impact that can be compared with other industries and replicated in the future . Emission hotspots are the major drivers of an environmental footprint and help to identify the ways we can reduce our impact as an industry . The almond industry LCA revealed four key emission hotspots based on GWP : 1 . Nitrogen-based fertiliser use 2 . Electricity and water use 3 . Pest and disease control chemical use 4 . Fumigation chemical use As part of this project , Edge Impact developed an Emissions Action Plan in consultation with growers and processors , featuring nine strategies to reduce emissions on farm and in processing facilities . An LCA calculator has also been developed which will allow Australian almond growers and processors to quantify their GWP for their business . These resources will be accessible on the Almond Board of Australia website soon .