Browsing by Author "Pare, Jeremy"

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    A Comparative Analysis Between Biofuels and the Food & Agricultural Industries
    (2024-04-26) Yao, Yao; Llonch, Madeleine; Mutha, Srishti
    As of 2020, 35% of corn was grown for animal feed, 31% for biofuel, and less than 2% for human consumption. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), specifically Section 45Z, offers tax credits to farmers cultivating low-carbon intensity corn for clean transportation fuels, potentially reshaping corn allocation trends. For this Master’s Project, we collaborated with Rabobank to explore the implications of this policy shift, with a particular focus on corn allocation dynamics across human consumption, feedstock, and biofuel sectors. The potential for competition arises as farmers may prioritize selling to the fuel industry to capitalize on incentives, which could reshape traditional corn allocation trends. However, uncertainties about the adequacy of incentives from food companies to counteract this shift remain. This project aims to provide Rabobank with insights into how the IRA will influence farmers' crop allocation decisions and to understand the competitive landscape between the food and renewable fuel industries. The research finds that ethanol producers are incentivizing farmers to cultivate low-carbon intensity crops through sustainability initiatives. Nonetheless, uncertainties about the level of financial support and premium payments to farmers create barriers to adopting sustainable practices. In contrast, food companies seem to have a limited approach to incentivizing low carbon crop cultivation, mainly focusing on educational initiatives rather than offering substantial financial incentives. This highlights the comparative advantage of biofuel companies in encouraging agricultural practices. Despite potential competition concerns, the food industry's impact is expected to be minimal as the U.S. has a sufficient corn supply to meet domestic needs or import as necessary. Additionally, the renewable fuels landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with new alternatives like renewable diesel poised to reshape the industry. If biodiesel becomes a dominant renewable fuel, it may reduce competition between the food and ethanol industries regarding corn sourcing, thereby offering a different avenue for renewable fuel production. To gain a deeper understanding of these dynamics, we conducted interviews with stakeholders from various sectors, including farmers and professionals from the food and agriculture industry. These interviews offered invaluable insights into considerations such as costs, transportation, and crop rotation. We also examined the intricacies of incentives for farmers, how they are informed about new opportunities, and the impact of trends. Discussions included topics such as regenerative agriculture, challenges presented by the IRA, and how the food industry could effectively compete with renewable fuels for sourcing low-carbon crops, informing future strategies and policies. In conclusion, this research project highlights the evolving landscape of agricultural production and renewable fuels, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies and collaborative efforts to navigate the transition towards a more sustainable future.
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    An Analysis of Optimal Agricultural Edge of Field Practices To Maximize Sustainability Efforts
    (2024-04-26) Aletani, Salwa; Cheung, Yingchi
    Agriculture is one of the biggest industries globally, with various impacts on ecosystems, climate change, biodiversity, and water conservation. Increasing the sustainability of farms is powered by innovative solutions provided to farmers to address agricultural challenges that impact the environment. This project focuses on sustainability practices that are implemented on the edges of fields, and how such practices can increase sustainable agricultural practices integration. A meta-analysis is performed to evaluate the viability of all the available edge of field practices, conduct a cost-benefit analysis to maximize opportunities for using edge of field practices, and craft a final recommendation of the practices that have the highest potential for farmers.
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    Blended Finance for Clean Water: Applying the Green Bank Model to Fill North Carolina’s Water Quality Investment Gap
    (2022-04-21) Harvell, Elizabeth
    As the threat of climate change looms over North Carolina, so does the accompanying risk of deteriorating water quality and the economic impacts it can bring. Improving water quality will require investments beyond just what public funding sources can provide, and the increasingly popular approach of blended finance presents opportunities for private sector financing to alleviate some of this pressure. More specifically, a public-private green bank focusing on water quality improvements could be the answer to unlocking the capital necessary to preserve the resource on which North Carolina’s economy relies.
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    Climate Transition Action Plan and Emissions Reduction Strategy for a Semiconductor Manufacturer
    (2023-04-26) Diamond, Sara; Tomasino, Francisco; Xie, Xianhang
    According to the latest IPCC report, carbon emissions need to decrease by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to avoid irreversible warming caused by climate change. Following both public and investor pressure, many corporations have begun to realize their responsibility in meeting these climate goals and communicating how they plan to do so. To successfully reduce emissions, companies must identify hotspots in their business operations and continuously search for new opportunities to neutralize difficult-to-abate areas of their business. For Wolfspeed, a semiconductor manufacturer whose products are designed to maximize efficiency in power usage, this challenge is made more difficult by the surge in demand for their products. For this project, our team looks at strategies Wolfspeed can take to reduce their emissions and how they can communicate this strategy through the lens of a climate transition action plan (CTAP).
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    Don't Worry, It's Biodegradable: The Promise and Perfidy of Bioplastics in a Greenwashed World
    (2024-04-24) Shiff, Madelaine
    Bioplastics are often hailed as a sustainable solution to society’s massive plastic problem. Despite their squeaky-clean public perception, bioplastics are not inherently environmentally friendly. The confusion surrounding what they are and how to dispose of them creates more societal harm than good, and the deliberate manipulation of the average consumer’s understanding of environmentally friendly materials is harmful to people and planet alike. This project explores the ways in which bioplastics impact the environment both positively and negatively and examines the ways such data is reflected in marketing. The goal of this research is to provide a reliable resource that can better inform consumers about the most ubiquitous of materials – plastics.
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    Identifying Material Hotspots within Gaia Herbs Value Chain to help Identify Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    (2023-03-28) Stratton, Nadia; Martell, Abby; Sanchez, Diane
    Due to growing pressures from governments, consumers, and investors, companies are developing corporate climate strategy to increase the resilience across their value chains. Businesses are beginning to quantify their environmental impacts through greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol offers guidance to companies looking to account for Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions. Scope 3 emissions present a complex challenge, because they encompass all indirect emissions from both upstream and downstream activities in a company's value chain. Our client, Gaia Herbs, a leading herbal supplement company, is interested in analyzing their value chain and accounting for scope 3 emissions that are most material to their operations. This project lays out methodologies to account for scope 3 emissions from categories Purchased Goods and Services, Upstream Transportation, and Waste. Our scope 3 assessment focused on supplier engagement, qualitative information, and quantitative data.
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    Impact of Ecosystem Services Loss to Macroeconomic Productivity
    (2022-04-22) Hermanson, Max; Chen, Mingyi; Vanasse, Sam; Wang, Yifan
    Ecosystem service losses pose an enormous threat not only to the environment, but also to businesses and society. The Duke student team helped its client, Ortec Finance, assess frameworks around ecosystem service losses and risks to different business sectors by conducting a literature review, describing analysis methodologies, and providing recommendations. The literature review showed that quantifying the economic impacts of ecosystem services is effectively done through either partial-equilibrium or computable general-equilibrium models (CGE’s). The foremost publication regarding CGE models was found to be a report by the World Bank, which provides insights into how countries and economic sectors will differ between 2021 and 2030 due to BES losses. Additional literature showed consensus on three sectors: agriculture, raw material mining, and manufacturing are at the highest risk from ecosystem service losses. A flowchart was created to easily summarize how different ecosystem services link to various economic sectors. Geopolitically, developed countries in North America and Europe have low direct GDP dependency on BES. Other developing countries like China, India, and Brazil all have moderate to high GDP dependency. In comparing quantification methodologies used to analyze the economic impacts of ecosystem services, we recommended that Ortec Finance focuses on the Swiss Re BES Index as well as the ENCORE tool. The results from these two main approaches conducted by this report should feed into the expansion of Ortec Finance’s proprietary tool, Climate Maps, on ecosystem services.
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    Leadership for Thriving: A Framework to Lead the Business Community to Sustainable Behaviors
    (2023-04-25) Olivares, Magdalena
    Climate change is a complex problem whose solution is still far from being on track. Although we have advanced a lot in terms of knowledge and awareness of the problem, we are struggling to transition to sustainable actions. Corporations have the key to unleash a substantial potential contribution to facing this challenge moving forward. Developing new business models that move their operations away from current environmental damage is needed. Their potential to leverage their connections with consumers and other stakeholders, educating and influencing them to be part of the solution, and joining efforts to adjust lifestyles and preferences for sustainable consumption also presents a huge opportunity. For these challenges, corporations need to face the transition from a technical to an adaptative approach. But corporations are not prepared to run this challenge on their own; integrating the environmental impact in the business model requires the support of environmental experts. This research is based on the hypothesis that there is an opportunity to enhance sustainable behavior transformation by improving communication and collaboration between business and environmental professionals. With this purpose, the research was done through a qualitative comparative analysis that looks to contrast the perspective and resources those professionals have with respect to climate change, looking for the interconnection of joint possibilities that can be approached in a more collaborative manner. The ecological self maturity, nature experience, and knowledge of environmental professionals make them the best candidates to support corporate change. But there is a learning challenge for environmental professionals as well, since technical acumen is not enough to lead such large and complex adaptative changes in human systems in the corporate world. This framework aims at providing a tool for environmental professionals to effectively hone their skills to lead and communicate with corporate audiences and guide them towards effective actions to tackle environmental change. Leadership for Thriving combines this perspective of leadership and inspiring storytelling with the optimistic approach of the breakthrough movement of thriving, which inspires the examples and reflections of this proposal.
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    Project Management Strategy for Utility Scale Solar
    (2023-04-26) Gulick, Logan
    Utility scale solar is a fairly new industry, therefore, there are many new and lucrative career fields and other sub-disciplines within the project management array. There are multiple books about project management on the market, including the Project Management Book of Knowledge and PMP study guides, what sets this apart is not only the specificity of utility scale solar, but the strategies which will be introduced to the reader to help them achieve success on their own projects. This project aims to equip the reader with the tools needed to successfully execute their own solar projects in the most efficient and sustainable manner possible. Covered in the paper are such tools as Porter’s 5 forces, SWOT, TOWS, Risk register, and strategy cascades, along with others and instructions on how to use them to treat every project as a case study. Finally, the paper concludes with a strategy road map to help guide the user step by step, and a real world example to back up the claims of effectiveness of the outlined strategies.
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    Reducing Waste in the Built Environment
    (2022-04-22) Seyler, Meghan; Zou, Andy
    In 2018, the United States generated over 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste, fueled by increasing housing demand and a lack of viable recycling markets. This problem is acute in the Triangle, where 4,700 new units of residential construction were built between Summer 2020 and Summer 2021 in Durham County alone. With support from a local design-build firm, Haven, and nonprofit, Circular Triangle, this project uses a waste assessments report and custom waste calculator to investigate the social and environmental impacts of landfilling waste, to suggest opportunities for waste diversion in the built environment, and to communicate these results to policy makers to drive government support for circularity in the Triangle. Findings from our study suggest that while untapped opportunities exist for waste diversion, a paradigm shift in legislation, attention, and financial incentives is needed to make circular systems a reality in the built environment.  Using an analysis of two accessory dwelling units under construction in Durham as a lens to articulate Haven’s current waste management efforts, this study found that Haven’s waste generation at the two sites is already 7% better than what is expected from the industry benchmark. To communicate broader impact and demonstrate tangible benefits of improved waste management to Haven, it is important to translate these waste numbers into global warming potential. Our carbon emissions analysis speaks to reduced environmental impact across the board if viable alternatives to landfilling waste can be scaled up and implemented. The recommendations outlined in this report, while specifically focused on these two units are broad enough to also be applied to the wider residential construction market.  Recommended next steps:  -Communicate the need for alternative marketplaces for waste​  -Encourage waste measurement & engage suppliers​  -Get policy support to build out the marketplace infrastructure for diversion​  -Coordinate waste hauling 
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    Start Right - Environmentall Compliance Strategies for Start-Ups
    (2024-04-12) Fanslau, Tausha
    With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS), construction of manufacturing facilities has more than doubled since late 2021. As companies rush to find a site to build these facilities, it is important to consider the environmental responsibilities associated with a new build. Often, companies do not have internal environmental staff at this phase. The cost of noncompliance can be high. The Environmental Plan Guide (EPG) assists companies during each phase of a construction project in performing due diligence and meeting environmental responsibilities while addressing compliance with common environmental issues and a focus on federal regulations. The EPG describes the topic, how to screen for applicability, what steps to take if it applies, and an estimate of how long compliance activities will take. Each topic also includes links to get more information.
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    Strategic Compensation Insights to Inform Nike’s Labor Strategy
    (2022-04-12) Bennett, Alexandra
    The global apparel and footwear industry does not have a standard definition for a “fair wage” throughout supply chains. Globally, legally mandated minimum wages typically fall short of providing a livable wage for workers and their families. Nike’s Labor Capability team within Responsible Supply Chain seeks to better understand key trends in their strategic source base related to compensation benchmarks and structure. Therefore, to develop strategic steps to advance compensation practices and capability building throughout Nike’s supply chain, this report analyzes the meaning of a mature and competitive wage in the garment supply chain through a comprehensive literature review, a competitor landscape evaluation, and a review of regional initiatives. Following this analysis, key takeaways were compiled to inform labor strategies that effectively implement supplier capability building and drive holistic, fair wages.
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    Sustainability Engagement and Incentivization for Employees at Oatly North America
    (2023-04-26) Block-Funkhouser, Devon; Bowness, Mollie; Gordon, Rachel; Zou, Danlei
    Oatly, the world’s first and largest oat milk company, has a sustainability strategy focused on developing a food system that is better for people and the planet. This project’s objective is to deliver recommended strategies for Oatly that will engage and incentivize employees on their sustainability goals. A three-part process, this project 1) assesses Oatly’s current sustainability engagement strategies, 2) conducts a landscape analysis of strategies implemented by companies across various sectors, and 3) analyzes these findings to recommend strategies best aligned with Oatly’s culture and sustainability goals. These final recommended strategies are 1) develop a sustainability education and training program, 2) create a system that formalizes each employee’s role within Oatly’s sustainability goals, 3) establish a sustainability advisory board, 4) develop sustainability product guidelines, 5) conduct sustainability hackathons, and 6) implement sustainability challenges within plant operations.
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    Sustainable Business Strategies for a Small, Women-Owned, Zero-Waste Shop
    (2023-04-28) Peck, Nicole
    The impacts of global climate change are felt around the globe, as is the increasing pressure to make sustainable differences to reduce pollution and emissions. Many climate change solutions are geared towards larger entities or political policies, skipping the intimate opportunities for the consumer to become engaged. Ekologicall, LLC is a small, woman-owned business in Charlotte, North Carolina selling zero-waste products and educating the community on zero-waste lifestyle. This project examined Ekologicall, LLC’s current business operations and its unique market as a zero-waste shop through periods of observation and benchmark analysis. Then, using sustainable business strategies including strategy cascade, TOWS analysis, and business model canvas, this project considered which strategies were best aligned with its goals. Findings from this project suggest that to increase profits and expand growth, Ekologicall, LLC should 1) form more purposeful relationships with local partners, 2) secure permanent retail space, 3) provide additional value to customers through increased engagement, 4) seek and leverage additional certifications, and 5) hire additional staff for support. This project highlights the limitations and difficulties of being a small business, and more specifically, being a zero-waste shop.
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    Sustainable Supply Chains, Emissions, and Value Creation: Lithium-ion Batteries for Passenger Electric Vehicles (EVs)
    (2024-04-26) Citrola, Jessica; Jenkins, Susanna; Patel, Shreya Dipti; Wali, Nadeem; Zhu, Vee
    Supply chain sustainability for lithium-ion batteries is critical for the energy transition as the U.S. increases deployment of EV. This project focuses on midstream battery cell manufacturing and downstream module assembly offering significant opportunities for innovation, cost reduction, revenue generation, and ESG metrics integration. Recent incentives, such as the IRA, have catalyzed the demand and investment for a more secure supply chain for lithium-ion batteries and created cost reduction opportunities for domestic battery manufacturers. Our client EY-Parthenon aims to position itself as the strategic advisor on EV battery value chain solutions. Our team has developed a supply chain evaluation framework that assesses and uncovers opportunities for sustainability and monetary value, along with case study applications that evaluate a subset of processes. This framework equips EY-Parthenon to guide EV industry clients through enhancing ESG performance and uncovering value creation avenues.
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    United States and Canada Air Quality Management Standard Implementation Plan
    (2023-04-27) Koehn, Shelley
    Organizations can use internal management standards to set guidelines and expectations for various program areas, including stretch goals to push themselves to be leaders in a given space. Company A, a global manufacturing company, is working through creating and implementing a new Air Quality Management Standard, which supports its internal organizational goals to have a best-in-class Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) program. This project involved gathering necessary background information via pilot site reviews, document comparison, and internal interviews in order to prepare an Air Quality Management Standard Implementation Plan for Company A’s United States and Canada region. In addition, the overall Standard creation process was evaluated, and the project lead to the creation of a recommendation memo outlining strategy tools that could increase the efficiency and clarity of future Standard rollouts within Company A’s EHS group. This memo could also be applied to the five-year update process for the existing 50+ EHS Standards.