Transcript PowerPoint Document

Introduction to MIRC 2014 Research:
Energy & Resource Assessment Study for Mint Farming
Research being conducted by etc3 Ltd
Contents
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
16 Apr 2014
Purpose of Research
Benefits of Research
Research Methods
Online Questionnaire for Growers
Grower Participation
Data Confidentiality
Energy Data – Background (MIRC Carbon Footprint
Study 2011)
Energy Data – 2014 Study Aims
Water Use and Waste Data
Timescale for Study
2
Purpose of Research
The Mint Industry Research Council has
commissioned etc3 Ltd to conduct an “Energy and
Resource Assessment Study” during 2014.
The Study has two purposes:
 To determine what energy efficiency
improvements have been implemented on
North American mint farms over the past 2-3
years – and how effective these have been
 To record and evaluate data on water
consumption and waste handling on mint farms
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
3
Benefits of Research
16 Apr 2014

To help MIRC determine whether growers are
targeting energy efficiency measures at those
farm activities which drive up the carbon
footprint of mint oil products

To allow MIRC to identify cultivation /
processing practices proven to reduce mint
oil’s overall environmental (water, waste,
energy) footprint

To give potential for MIRC to create an
environmental footprint database to answer
queries from mint oil customers seeking to
improve the sustainability of their products
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
4
Research Methods
16 Apr 2014

The study method will involve a questionnaire
survey for growers – can be completed online.

The study will collect data from mint farms to
identify where farming and process improvements
have been adopted. Carbon footprints will be
calculated and compared to show the effectiveness
of different improvement methods.

Waste and water use data will be collected from
growers in different regions to compare how
different practices affect environmental
performance.

The results will be interpreted and presented in a
report aimed at encouraging the adoption and
sponsorship of environmental best practices
throughout the sector.
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
5
Online Questionnaire

Questionnaire allows growers to insert
energy use, water and waste data for specific
farming operations, as available from farm
records
 We encourage you to complete the
questionnaire online. You will be able to save
your progress and return at a later time, if
necessary.
 Online access to the questionnaire is available
at: www.mircnews.org
 If you do not wish to participate online,
contact the MIRC Administrative Office to
receive a paper copy.
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
6
Grower Participation
 Growers’ efforts to fully and accurately
complete questionnaires is vital –
& greatly appreciated by MIRC
 Help is available - growers’ queries about the questionnaire can be
answered via the MIRC office, who will contact researchers and
send answers to you
 Our main aim is to compile a large, reliable dataset. If we have
this, we can better construct viable energy- and money- saving
recommendations for mint farming
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
7
Data Confidentiality
 All data questionnaires completed by
growers will be anonymized
 Completed questionnaires will be retained
centrally by MIRC, and external analysts
will not have access to farm identity data
 Only State and growing region location
details will be sent to analysts (so that
geographical trends in data can be
examined)
 Data provided will be used only within the
context of the MIRC Energy & Resource
Assessment Study – it will not be disclosed
to or shared with any third party during or
after the period of study
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
8
ENERGY DATA
Background - MIRC Carbon Footprint Study 2011
In 2011, MIRC funded a study which gathered data on
energy use on North American mint farms during
mint oil production. This study provided a figure for
the carbon footprint (CF) of mint oil (to the farm
gate). Key findings were:
 Distillation is the most energy-intensive
operation on farms, especially where fuel used is
diesel
 The fuel use for cultivation can vary greatly on
individual farms
 While electricity use is the smallest contributor
to emissions, it can be a significant portion of the
total carbon footprint when it is the fuel source
for irrigation
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
9
ENERGY DATA - 2014 Study Aims
The new study will compare before-and-after energy
use data from mint farms which have changed
practices / technology (e.g. cultivation / distillation
methods) since 2011 with the specific aim of
reducing energy consumption.
Data will be analysed to identify:
 differentials in farm-specific energy consumption
which can be allocated to given energy efficiency
measures adopted in mint cultivation
 average scale of energy savings achieved by mint
farms in the study
 potential reductions in CO2 emissions which
could be achieved in North American mint
farming if particular efficiency measures where
adopted by the industry.
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
10
Water Use and Waste Data
The study will collect data on water use and waste
generation on mint farms, to help identify:
 The scale of adoption of water conservation
advice on mint farms (e.g. incidence of soil
moisture monitoring, variation in irrigation
methods and irrigation efficiency)
 The key waste management issues for mint
farming (e.g. wastewater management, oil
storage and disposal, management of
agrochemicals, crop residue composting).
The findings will be used to identify best practices for
managing water / waste issues in the sector.
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
11
Timescale for Study
May 2014 – Questionnaire available on MIRC
website
May 2014 – Growers contacted to request
participation
June 2014 – deadline for completion and
return of questionnaires by growers
(reminders will be sent mid-June)
July-September 2014 – Analysis of data and
reporting
16 Apr 2014
MIRC Energy & Resource Assessment
Study for Mint Farming
12