Training Environmental Footprinting of Food Value Chains
Training Environmental Footprinting of Food Value Chains
Available periodically
The Environmental Footprinting training is meant for anyone who would like to learn everything about calculating the impact of food products along the entire value chain. It can be your first time learning about LCA, to fresh up your knowledge, or to deepen your understanding about a specific (food) topic. Our experts introduce you to the topic of environmental footprinting, but go in-depth quickly. Like this, the training is suitable for most backgrounds and offers great value for both beginners as well as more experienced sustainability experts.
Introductory & In-depth
Starting from scratch, but going in-depth quickly. Topic specific specialist sessions tailored to your interest.
Interactive sessions
Created to allow time for discussions, questions, examples and assignments.
Available periodically
Send us an email to be put on the waiting list.
What topics are covered
Our experts start by introducing you to Environmental Footprinting and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), its role in sustainability efforts and current developments. Then, going a bit deeper into the topic, the step-by-step methodology of LCA and different frameworks and guidelines are discussed. Methodological developments such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity are explored as well. Finally, you have the choice between various "specialist sessions": Arable Crops and Horticulture, Animal Production Systems, and Retail & Novel Foods. Here you dive deeper into the more advanced methodological topics and latest developments. Throughout the entire training, case studies, practical examples and an assignment will illustrate and substantiate the topics even more.
Setup of the training
The training exists of a minimum of three sessions. The first two are meant as the "core" of the training: they are the same for everyone. In the next session(s), you will dive deeper into a more specific product category, the one(s) most relevant to you.
Each session is held on a seperate day of the week, and lasts 3-4 hours.
Day 1 - session 1
Landscape of Environmental Footprinting in the Agri-food sector
In this section you will learn about the main principles of environmental footprinting and LCA. We will dive into questions like: what are the main drivers for sustainability and what is the role of life cycle environmental management? What are the current developments in EU context and policy-making, with regards to for instance the EU Green Deal, “Green Claims” and the EU Farm-to-Fork strategy? We will also demonstrate case studies of companies that embrace LCA in their sustainability strategy.
Day 2 - session 2
Landscape of Environmental Footprinting in the Agri-food sector
In this section, you will be introduced to the step-by-step methodology of LCA and to the differences between ISO compliant LCA studies and PEF studies. You will deepen your understanding through examples of crucial, sometimes controversial decisions that need to be taken when performing an LCA. We will also outline limitations that are often encountered when performing an LCA. Finally, you will explore methodological developments on topics such as carbon sequestration, plastic soup, and biodiversity. This session includes an assignment.
Day 3-5 - specialist sessions
One or more topics of choice
We offer specialist sessions in the topics:
- Arable crops and horticulture
- Animal production systems
- Farm to Fork analysis
More information on these sessions will follow shortly.
Meet the trainers
Over the years Blonk Consultants has become the leading specialist in LCA and footprinting of food and agricultural products. Our experts have considerable experience in this field and are pleased to share their knowledge with you.
Your trainers will be:
Elena Koukouna
Elena is a consultant with expertise in the field of life cycle assessment, and worked with a wide range of customers in the agri-food sector. She is very skilled in developing learning material and providing trainings for industry experts and companies as well as for universities.
Jasper Scholten
Jasper is Principal Consultant at Blonk. He has over 12 years of experience in consultancy and research with regards to environmental and sustainability issues of food production systems. He graduated in Animal Sciences and Animal Production Systems from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. At Blonk Jasper manages the consulting department, which includes LCA studies, development of LCI databases, (ISO critical) LCA reviews and LCA standard development, such as Production Environmental Footprint (PEF).
Interested?
Get in touch.
Meike van de Wouw
Send an email to Meike.