A more sustainable shellfish industry: how LCA is helping

A more sustainable shellfish industry: how LCA is helping

March 2022

How do mussels and oysters compare to other dietary proteins? Do frozen shellfish have a larger carbon footprint that live shellfish? How do national and international distribution chains compare? Assessing the carbon footprint of farmed shellfish over their entire life cycle can provide some interesting and useful insights.

In this webinar, Steph Hopkins, Policy Manager for Aquaculture NZ, shares their motivations for carrying out a Life Cycle Assessment. Jeff Vickers, Technical Director of thinkstep-anz, discusses the goal and results of the LCA. Other industry leaders discuss implications for the industry.

Key takeaways from the webinar

• Consumers are demanding lower carbon products.
• The government wants the aquaculture industry to be world-leading in sustainability.
• The Climate Change Response Act means businesses must be net-zero carbon by 2050.
• LCA is definitive, comprehensive, scientific evidence of a product’s carbon footprint.
• LCA can deepen engagement with stakeholders on environmental issues. Show that you are responding to the global climate crisis.
• This study shows that New Zealand mussels and oysters are among the animal protein sources with the lowest carbon footprint.
• Start your LCA by quantifying your product’s current environmental performance.
• Look out for ‘hotspots’ in your value chain.
• Set targets and make sure you can track your progress.
• Use LCA to position your industry to respond to changes required of business in the future.