For over ten years we have been providing a range of sustainability services, to understand the impacts of the supply chain of your products, services and organisation.
We perform Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) compliant with ISO 14040/44 for a range of energy and algae based technologies. We have worked in the field of LCA since 2012, meaning we have been providing LCA for longer than almost any other UK based consultancy.
In terms of carbon reporting, we also undertake independent assessments of ERDF projects, which include an assessment of the accuracy of C34 (estimated GHG reductions) from the projects, recalculating the emission reductions for each SME supported, and validating methodologies. We also perform carbon reporting for organisations following BEIS metrics.
Using these skills, we can benchmark the carbon emissions of organisations, and utilise the skills of Decerna in terms of energy and energy efficiency, to create realistic, achievable, and economically viable Net Zero commitments, and carbon reduction plans to ensure these commitments are achieved.
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the assessment of the environmental impacts of the full supply chain of a process.
We can provide detailed ISO 14040/14044 compliant studies, enabling you to compare products, and to identify hotspots within your process where there are large environmental impacts.
Impact categories
We provide assessments that cover a wide range of impact categories, including climate change, toxicity, eutrophication, particulate matter, ionising radiation, ozone depletion and others. We usually use ReCiPe Hierarchist Mid Points
Software
The software we usually use is either OpenLCA or GaBi, and the databases we usually use are Ecoinvent and GaBi Professional. For Social impacts (S-LCA) we use the SOCA database.
Monitoring
We utilise the skills and expertise of our teams, which is mainly used on energy efficiency studies and field trials, to install a range of energy monitoring systems within facilities, to understand the exact energy use, to feed into the LCA models.
Specialism
Our specialisation within LCA is of the study of renewable energy and biofuel-based products, with a very high level of knowledge of the LCA of microalgae based products and their competitors
Funded projects
We have worked on funded LCA projects via Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, FP7, Innovate UK and ERDF. If you require a partner for your LCA work package, please do get in touch. Please note we are open to commercial projects
Environmental Product Declation (EPD)
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a verified and registered report that communicates transparent and comparable information about the environmental impact of a product, based on its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). EPDs are becoming increasingly important for companies as they allow them to meet environmental regulations and provide customers with transparent information about the sustainability of their products. EPDs cover a wide range of environmental indicators, including climate change, energy consumption, water consumption, and waste generation, allowing companies to identify areas for improvement in their environmental performance.
At Decerna, we can prepare and submit your EPDs , which are provided by our experienced and knowledgeable LCA team.
Our EPD delivery covers the UK, Europe, India and Brazil. However, we are open to work in other geographies as well.
Our studies generally cover energy generation/storage/transmission/efficiency products, bio-based materials, carbon capture and utilisation related systems, and composites.
ERDF C34 assessments
We undertake independent assessments of ERDF projects, which include an assessment of the accuracy of C34 (estimated GHG reductions) from the projects, recalculating the emission reductions for each SME supported.
We utilise the expertise of our teams who deliver ERDF projects, and have a high and specialised knowledge of low carbon and renewable energy technologies, in order to understand if recommendations and grant support truly led to the emission reductions claimed. Through this process, to inform the C34 outputs, we may also calculate the C34 (Decrease of annual primary energy consumption of public buildings) indicator.
Please note, we offer further wide-ranging ERDF assessments, outside of C32 and C34 calculations and assessments.
Carbon Reporting
We can report on the carbon emissions of your organisation, utilising BEIS metrics to cover all Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Through this reporting, we can give you a strong understanding of the carbon emissions of your organisation.
Net-Zero carbon reduction plans
We can work with you to benchmark the carbon emissions of your products, services and organisation. Using a combination of skills from the teams within Decerna, we can provide your organisation with a bespoke Net-Zero plan – whatever your targets. These plans align with the UK Government’s procurement policy note (PPN) 06/21 requirements.
Other sustainability assessments
We can provide a range of sustainability assessments, using a wide range of methodologies. If you wish to look at something outside of ERDF and ISO 14040 methodologies, please do get in touch.
The other elements of our business focus on energy audits, field trials, techno-economic studies of renewable energy and grid connection, all of these can be brought together to offer a full sustainability appraisal of your business or product.
Partners
We work closely with the Portuguese organisation GreenCoLab on a range of microalgae LCA projects.
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