Case Studies

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Summerfruit NZ Carbon Footprint
Agriculture

This project describes the methodology used, results, and issues that arose in estimating the carbon footprint of the summerfruit supply chain for Summerfruit NZ. The analysis is based on using life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology so consequently includes all upstream emissions are included.

Lamb Carbon Footprint
Agriculture

This project examined the greenhouse gas footprint of lamb produced in NZ and consumed in the UK. It used LCA and covered the full life cycle from cradle to grave (including consumption and waste). It was carried out with the Meat Industry Association and Beef and Lamb NZ and supported by MAF, Landcorp and Ballance.

The Life Cycle Management Project
Other

This five-year project seeks to build capability among New Zealand manufacturing companies for product-oriented environmental management. LCM Champions in six case study companies are implementing Life Cycle Management, and are being upskilled and mentored through an LCM Training Programme.

application/pdf iconLCM Briefing
Emissions Embodied in New Zealand's International Trade
Other
This study uses multi-regional input-output analysis combined with selected bottom-up analyses to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions embodied in New Zealand’s imports and exports. The analysis includes data for 113 countries and regions representing the entire world economy, with increased detail for New Zealand and Australia.
Life cycle liabilities of transport infrastructure (TILL)
Transport
This project uses Life Cycle Assessment methodology to estimate the benchmark energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) for passenger and freight transport using rail and roads in New Zealand.  In addition stormwater contaminant loading due to runoff from road and rail infrastructure will also be quantified.
Carbon Footprints of Wind Farm
Energy
Life-cycle energy and global warming potentials of specific New Zealand wind farms have been assessed for Contact Energy and Trust Power. These assessments included production, transport, maintenance and disposal impacts over the wind farms’ lives. These studies assisted in Environment Court hearings, and with communication of environmental impacts of the wind farms.
NZ Fuel and Electricity Energy & Life Cycle Emission Factors
Energy
This paper describes the results and methodology used for determining the primary energy, carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission factors for New Zealand electricity and fuels.  The analysis is based on using life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology so consequently includes all upstream as well as in-use emissions.  The results have also been compared to the MED published in-use emiss
Exemplar House
Built Environment
The Exemplar house is a basic two storey design of a house, with a building system typical for New Zealand comprising of three bedrooms and a garage. This model was used as the basis for a study on energy and climate change impacts of a standard house over its life cycle.
Environmental Impacts of Multi-Storey Buildings Using Different Construction Materials
Built Environment
The study investigated the energy use and climate change impacts related to a six-storey building made of different construction materials (steel, concrete and timber). Scion’s role in this project was to assess the embodied energy and embodied global warming potential (GWP) of the different scenarios.
Waitakere NOW Home
Built Environment
This project used Life Cycle Assessment to assess the environmental performance of the Waitakere NOW Home over its 100-year lifespan. The system boundaries included construction, maintenance, operation and end of life.