New Food and Agriculture Conference for 2015 LCA Conference Series
The national peak body for LCA professionals, the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS), introduces AgriFoodLCA, The 1st Life Cycle Assessment Conference for Agriculture and Food Industry.
On 23rd and 24th November 2015, AgriFoodLCA will take place in the Melbourne CBD at Mercure Treasury Gardens overlooking the city’s renowned parkland and located within the fastest growing council area in the country. It will provide the opportunity for the food sector to understand the global sustainability developments that will shape the future of the industry.
Australian farms supply 93 percent of the nation's food needs, while a further 60 percent of produce is sold offshore generating substantial export revenue for the country, about 13 percent of Australia’s A$300 billion in export earnings
“Global concern about environmental impacts of the agricultural sector has increased dramatically during the past 10 years,” said ALCAS president Rob Rouwette. “Through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a holistic method for assessing environmental risks, the sector can not only improve performance but also ensure benchmarks for entry to specific markets are achieved.”
This conference forms part of ALCAS’s three conference series in Melbourne from 23rd to 27th November 2015. A stand-alone Food and Agriculture Conference will be hosted for the first time along with the 1st Building and Construction Conference and 9th Australian Life Cycle Management Conference.
The ALCAS conference series will present new data, tools and approaches, showing how to ride the wave of business opportunities that emerge from transforming to a more sustainable society. It will also host discussions on how a systematic approach to combat climate change and promote sustainability is key to achieving a low carbon economy.
“By understanding the environmental impact of products, companies can improve performance and identify opportunities for reducing capital and operating costs,” explains Rob.
Globally, consumers are prepared to pay more for products and services from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact[1]. In fact, Australia and its neighbours are leading this demand with 64% of people in the Asia Pacific region and 40% of Europeans prepared to put their money towards positive social and environmental changes.
LCM Australia 2015, The 9th Australian Conference on Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Management, on 24th and 25th November will explore the industry’s rating tools shift to LCA examine the drivers and benefits of LCM.
AusBuildLCA, The 1st Life Cycle Assessment Conference for Building and Construction, on 26th and 27th November will explore the industry’s rating tools shift to LCA.
“With the Green Building Council of Australia, Urban Development Institute of Australia and Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia introducing new LCA centric credits and tools, the demand for green building professionals with LCA skills will surge,” added Rob.
“As markets increasingly embrace green standards, LCA information may soon be essential for products sold to many international markets. These conferences will enable business leaders, policy makers and industry experts to explore the strategic benefits of life cycle approaches.”
Book your tickets to AgriFoodLCA today.
