Life Cycle Assessment Method – Tool for Evaluation of Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Agriculture and Food Processing

The chapter focuses on the use of the Life Cycle Assessment method to monitor the emission load of foods from different systems of farming production. The products of the conventional and organic farming production intended for public catering are compared within the SUKI and UMBESA international projects. Conventional farming is mainly characterized by high inputs of mineral fertilizers, chemical pesticides, the use of hormones and stimulants in animal husbandry. It is a system based on the highest possible yields without respecting the natural principles of nature. Conversely, organic farming is a system of production established by the legislation that respects fundamental natural cycles, such as crop rotation, ensures welfare of animals, prohibits the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances of synthetic origin. However, lower yields are a big disadvantage. In the Czech Republic, only about one tenth of the agricultural fund is currently used for organic farming. Arable land constitutes only about 10% of the total area of agricultural land, other areas are mainly grasslands and orchards. The work primarily aims to answer to the question whether the selection of foods may contribute to decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, which is a part of the objectives of many policies. Besides the comparison of agricultural production, processed and unprocessed foods, local and imported foods and fresh and stored foods were compared as well. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is used to assess environmental impacts of products and services throughout their entire life cycle, was used to quantify the emission load. This method may be briefly characterized as a gathering of all inputs and outputs that take place during the production in the interaction with the environment. These inputs and outputs then also determine the impact on the environment. The LCA consists of four successive and iterative phases: This concerns the definition of objectives and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation of the results. The LCA was originally developed for the assessment of impacts of especially industrial products. Certain methodological problems and deficiency, which bring a level of uncertainty of the results, have been caused by its adaptation to agricultural product assessment, but this method is still recommended for comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts of agricultural production and the comparison of different agricultural products. In this study, a Cradle-to-Gate assessment was performed, which means that the impacts of products (in this case the emission formation) were evaluated only to the delivery of foods to public facilities, further treatment and waste management was not assessed. About 20 most frequently used foods for school catering facilities were compared. The results of the project confirm the general assumption about the less emission load of unprocessed, fresh and local products. It may not clearly state that products from organic farming produce less emissions when comparing agricultural systems. It always depends on the particular crop. The absence of synthetic substances such as fertilizers and pesticides reduces the emission load of organic farming, on the other hand, a higher number of mechanical operations and especially the lower income clearly increase the emission burden, therefore, in several cases, lower emission loads of crops were achieved using the conventional farming system. However, less emission may be achieved within the organic farming system. Among 11 evaluated agricultural products, 8 organic products and only 3 conventional ones go better. The situation is different regarding the following phases of food production, processing and transport. The transport phase significantly worsens the environmental profile of organic foods, because transport distances are too far due to insufficient processing capacity and underdeveloped market networks, and often exceed the emission savings from the agricultural phase. On the contrary, conventional foods are carried within relatively short distances, therefore the final emission load of conventional foods is in many cases fewer than the load of organic foods. This fact is also confirmed by the result of the study, because among 22 evaluated foods, organic food goes better in 11 cases and conventional food in 11 cases as well

The Investment Project

Bakalářská práce se zabývá investicí do nákupu nového vibračního válce v konkrétním podniku působícím ve stavebnictví. Na základě výpočtu hodnocení efektivnosti metodou čisté současné hodnoty posoudím, zda je vhodné projekt realizovat či nikoliv. Po té vyberu nejoptimálnější řešení formy financování. Ke srovnání přijde několik konkrétních nabídek leasingových společností a bankovních institucí.The bachelor thesis deals with investment in the purchase of a new compactor in a particular company operating in the construction industry. Based on the calculation method of evaluating the effectiveness of the net present value shall consider whether it is appropriate to implement the project or not. Then I select the most optimal solution forms of financing. I will compare specific offers leasing companies and banking institutions.

Development Projects Financing

Diplomová práce se zabývá problematikou financování developerských projektů. V první části práce definuji několik základních pojmů, relevantních k pochopení obecné problematiky projektového financování. Obecně popisuji developerský proces, coby ucelený řetězec zabývající se realizací výstavby nemovitosti za účelem jeho dalšího prodeje či pronájmu. Dále analyzuji současný stav a vývoj developerského podnikání. Ve stěžejní části závěrečné kapitoly názorně aplikuji teoretické poznatky na konkrétní developerský projekt, a predikuji průběh finančních toků.The thesis deals with the issue of financing development projects. The first part defines several basic concepts relevant to understanding the general issues of project financing. Generally I describe development process as an integrated chain engaged in the realization of construction of real estate for the purpose of resale or lease. Further I analyze the current situation of the developer's business. The most important part of the final chapter illustrates applying theoretical knowledge to real development project and predicts the financial flows.

Drought impact on the germination of selected energy grass species

Za účelem získání dostatečného množství fytomasy pro potřeby ekoenergetiky jsou dnes na orné půdě zakládány monokulturní porosty trav. V souvislosti s měnícím se klimatem a častějšími obdobími sucha je důležité hledat druhy a odrůdy, jež jsou schopny těmto stresovým podmínkám odolat. V článku jsou popsány výsledky vlivu sucha na klíčení semen čtyř vybraných travních druhů vhodných pro energetické využití. Zkoumanými druhy byly ovsík vyvýšený (Arrhenatherum elatius L.) – odrůda Median, srha laločnatá (Dactylis glomerata L.) – odrůda Padania, maďarská tráva Elymus elongatus – odrůda Szarvasi-1 a lesknice rákosovitá (Phalaris arundinacea L.) – odrůda Chrastava. Ačkoliv se druhy mezi sebou lišily v klíčivosti (p 0,05).In order to gain a sufficient amount of phytomass for the needs of eco-energetics, there are monocultural grasslands established on the arable land. In the context of the changing climate and more frequent periods of drought, it is important to look for grass species and varieties that are able to withstand these stress conditions. Influence of droughtness on germination of four selected energy grass species is decribed in paper. The investigated species were tall meadow oat (Arrhenatherum elatius L.) - the Median variety, orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) - the Padania variety, tall wheatgrass (Elymus elongatus) - the Szarvasi-1 variety and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) - the Chrastava variety. Although the species differed in the germinability (p 0.05)

The usability of grasses for energy purposes in relation to other crops

Together with rising importance of renewable resources for the world energy industry the usability of energy crops has been more and more actual topic. Taking into consideration that the area for these crops has increased, it is necessary to concern many more factors and aspects related to their production. Beside the yield of dry matter, which is still considered the main criterion of production efficiency, it is necessary to take into account the environmental and some economic aspects. In this regard it seems suitable to use for energy purposes also other crops with yields under the profit break-even point of 12 t/ha that could not compete with established species. Energy grasses as reedgrass (Phalaris arundinacea), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) or tall oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) with average yields of dry matter between 8 – 9,5 t/ha cannot be compared (as far as the yield is concerned) to maize (Zea mays) or miscanth (Miscanthus sinensis Anderss) for example, however these crops can be chosen to the crop rotation thanks to their environmental functions – soil protection and low site conditions requirements for example

Maize production for energy purposes - the emission load

The trend of increase in energy consumption has been recorded in a civilized society. Fossil fuels are the main sources. However, their world's reserves are limited. Therefore, developed countries pursue the possibilities of substituting for them. The solution may be renewable energy resources. Besides water and solar energy, biomass has the greatest potential. Its combustion, but also the transformation into biogas - a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and other minor gases - are the most common possibilities for its use. Biogas produced by fermentation of plant biomass (phytomass) in biogas stations (BGS) ranks among the promising renewable energy sources. The input material of these stations is not only the biodegradable waste, but especially the phytomass grown on agricultural land. Maize (Zea mays L.) has been used most often so far for this purpose due to its high yields and a favorable chemical composition. However, maize production itself and especially technical processes associated with it participate in the anthropogenic emission production that contribute to the greenhouse effect. This article presents the results of monitoring of emission load resulting from the cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.) for energy purposes. As a tool for emission load measuring, the simplified LCA method, respectively its Climate change impact category, was used. For the calculations, the SIMAPro software and the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) Europe method were used. The input data were determined from the field experiments conducted on the lands of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and supplemented with data from the Ecoinvent database. The life cycle modelling includes the farming phase (field emissions, seeds and seedlings, fertilizers, plant protection products, agrotechnical operations) and the functional unit of the whole process was 1 kg of dry matter of maize. The results show that the total emission load in the maize cultivation (with a total yield of 19.25 t·ha-1 DM) is 0.1499 kg CO2e·kg-1 DM and 0.04496 kg CO2e·kg-1 GM (at a dry matter content of 32%). The highest amount of the total CO2e burden comes from the nitrogen fertilizer application (0.06362 kg CO2e·kg2 DM) which is used for the fertilization of maize. 405.5 l of methane·kg-1 DM were obtained in survey tests of methane yield on average. 0.3696·10-3 kg of CO2e represents the emission load of one liter of methane

Carbon dioxide equivalent emission load within production and processing of wheat under conditions of organic and conventional farming systems

The achieved results proved, that the conventional wheat production release the CO2e amount of 0, 5581 kg into the air compared to 0, 4624 kg of CO2e produced by organic wheat. Higher amount of emission reached within conventional farming is primarily contributed to high volume of CO2 emission released from easily dissolving conventional nitrogen fertilizers. An evident difference in emission load and greenhouse gases production is reached within flour production as well. It is 12% (0,5855 kg CO2e) lower when the organic flour is produced compared to the conventionally produced flour (0,6664 kg CO2e). Also transport plays an important role as far as the emission production is concerned. It has been proved, that regional transport (distance up to 50 km) contributes to the release of CO2e by 0,0137 kg compared to super-regional transport (distance up to 400 km) producing the CO2e amount of 0,1094 kg. Based on the achieved results it is evident, that the environmental load is affected by the farming system applied and observance of the principles of regional activity as well

Greenhouse gases emissions from selected crops growing within organic farming

As part of the study, growing of selected crops (strawberries, garlic, carrot) in conventional and organic farming systems in the Czech Republic was evaluated. For evaluation, the simplified LCA analysis was used. It is focused on the production of greenhouse gases expressed in the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per one unit of production. Emissions were calculated for agricultural phases – agricultural technology, fertilizers, pesticides and field emissions – using the IPCC methodology. There are evident differences in subprocesses and in the total emission load between conventional and organic farming systems. With strawberry growing, the GHG emission production is higher within the organic farming system due to low yields. With carrot and garlic growing, the organic farming system is more environmental friendly in terms of GHG emissions.Keywords: organic farming, GHG emissions, plant production, LC

LCA method - Tool for food production evaluation

Food is one of the basic human physiological needs which cannot be substitute in any way or by anything. Like every human activity, also the food production has impact on the environment. In particular, people from developed countries begin to be interested in the environmental impacts caused by satisfying their needs. For the environmentally friendly selection, they need to know about these impacts. One of the methodological tools providing such information is the Life Cycle Assessment - LCA. LCA is a method for assessment of product environmental impacts during its entire life cycle. The results can be used to identify hot spots during the cycle and thus, to define possibilities for improving product environmental profile, to inform key persons and to find the related marketing mark. In addition to other benefits, we can use the LCA to carry out comparative studies that means comparing alternative products that serve the same purpose. Food production is composed of an agricultural phase, a processing phase and a trade phase. In our studies within the SUKI - Sustainable Kitchen project, the aim was to compare approximately 20 kinds of most commonly used foods aiming to the public catering facilities in terms of GHG emission load. Alternatives were cultivation methods - organic/conventional in the agricultural phase, processed/unprocessed in the processing phase and imported/regional and storage/fresh in the trade phase. Project results confirm the general assumption about the less emission load of unprocessed, fresh and regional products. For example, production of one kilogram of chips produces 11 times more emissions than the production of one kilogram of raw potatoes. Storage of tomatoes in cooling boxes for 7 days causes up to 40% of total emissions. Remaining 60% go to agriculture and transport. Regarding the agricultural phase evaluation, we cannot clearly state that products from organic farming produce less emissions. Among 11 evaluated agricultural products, 8 organic products go better as compared to only 3 conventional ones. Regarding the total sum, the situation is more complicated. Among 22 evaluated foods, organic food goes better in 11 cases as well as the conventional food. This situation is mainly caused by a lack of processing capacity for organic products resulting into too long transport distances