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Inside Outdoor | Winter 2015 70
such as Armstrong (flooring) are among a
growing number of manufacturers adopt-
ing the Forest Stewardship Council’s
shared vision.
Gate-to-grave
The life cycle of a product from the
end user to end-of-use disposal.
Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI)
The Global Reporting Initiative, based
in Amsterdam the Netherlands, is a
registered, not-for-profit organization.
It is funded by donations from all over
the world including the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Orga-
nizational Stakeholders. Considered the
de facto world standard in sustainable
development reporting, the GRI uses a
global network of stakeholders to form
a consensus-based process in shaping
and revising its accounting structure.
GRI encourages reviewing of the report
outcomes by third-party assurance pro-
viders. However, there is no mechanism
ese audits.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
A greenhouse gas is an atmospheric
gas which absorbs and/or emits radia-
tion within the infrared light range, which
causes a greenhouse effect. The Kyoto
Protocol identifies six atmospheric gases
as key greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide
e (CH4), nitrous oxide
s (PFCs), hydro-
fluorocarbon (HFCs) and sulfur hexafluo-
ride (SF6). Each compound has a different
global warming potential (GWP). GWP is
based on the difference between incom-
ing and outgoing solar radiation energy
(radiative forcing). With carbon dioxide
used as one unit of GWP, also known
as the carbon dioxide equivalent, GHGs
have had their GWP calculated in terms
of their carbon dioxide equivalent.
Higg Index
The Higg Index is a self-described
“Holistic self-assessment tool used for
educational purposes that allows the
user to benchmark performance over
time. It’s a starting place for engage-
ment and understanding of sustain-
ability impacts. Further it encourages
continuous improvement and promotes
collaboration and transparency.” Intro-
duced in 2012, The Higg Index targets
the apparel and footwear industries’
environmental and social performance.
Since this is an educational, self-help
tool, there is no mechanism in place for
verification or validation of the out-
comes derived by its use.
LEED Green Building
Rating System
Leadership in Energy and Environ-
mental Design (LEED) is a certification
rating system for structures designed
and built with the goal of water
efficiency, good indoor air quality, energy
savings and an overall reduction in
its carbon footprint. LEED is an open
source tool created by a 501 (c) (3) non-
profit, the US Green Building Council
(USGBC). The USGBC, headquartered in
Washington D.C., finances its activities
by conducting educational programs
for builders, designers, suppliers and
operators, selling publications, accepting
donations and sponsoring conferences.
This allows the USGBC to revise LEED
and conduct research. Third-party
verification to assure compliance on
commercial and institutional projects as
of 2008 has gone to the Green Building
Certification Institute (GBCI). Regardless
of the LEED project, all must undergo
third-party verification in order to receive
LEED ratings of certified, silver, gold
and platinum.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
A comprehensive environmental
assessment of the impact of a product
or process, from inception to the end
of its “life.” The assessment includes
transportation of raw materials to
the manufacturer, manufacturing of
materials, transportation of materials to
the product manufacturer, manufacturing
of product, transportation of product
to end users, impact of product by
end user including disposal of product
at its end of life.
The assessment has been used as a
tool to evaluate a product’s or company’s
eco-performance, which in turn can be
used to improve it.
There are three different methods used
in lifecycle analysis:
1. process or bottom-up LCA using ISO
14040-2006 and 14044-2006 protocols;
2. economic input output or EIO-LCA; and
3. hybrid LCA, a combination of process
LCA with economic input output LCA.
LCAs are used as a tool to evaluate a
pr duct or company’s eco-performance,
which in turn can be used to improve it.
Life Cycle Management (LCM)
An integrated approach to
sustainable production and consumption
through the management of a product’s
or process’ life cycle.
Life Cycle Energy
Analysis (LCEA)
The total life cycle energy input.
Criticism in utilizing LCEAs include the
argument that different energy sources
have different potential value (exergy).
Additionally, critics contend that LCEAs’
energy currency cannot supplant economic
currency as the determinant in business.
Methane
Methane is a colorless odorless
gas at room temperature and standard
pressure. It is the main component of
natural gas. One of the greenhouse
gases, methane is of interest
because of its abundance on earth
and its continually growing, climate-
changing potential. Its carbon dioxide
(CO2) equivalent over a 100-year
period is 34, revised up nine units of
equivalence with the newly released
2013 Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Ch the
ba (for one
metric ton). So over 100 years, one ton
of methane is equal to 34 tons of CO2.
As the earth continues to heat up,
more permafrost, methane clathrates
under the ocean floors and the Antarctic
Ice Sheet continue to melt, adding CO2
at an accelerating rate.