Sustainability Services:

Environment, Social Equity, Economy

LEO provides comprehensive sustainability services that help companies and organizations understand, quantify, manage and report their overall sustainability, with consideration for all three components of sustainability.

Sustainability Strategies

LEO is dedicated to developing sustainability strategies for companies and organizations that engage the progress in environmental and social equity to aid in driving economic success. This approach maximizes achievements in all three legs of the sustainability triangle.

Services we Offer

• LEED® and Sustainable Building Services
• Calculations and Reporting
• Grant Writing and Administration Services
• Enterprise Sustainability Services
• Sustainable Initiative Grant Writing
• Sustainable Event Services
• Education
• Sustainability Standards Program
  

LEO American National Standards:

The American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture (ANSI/LEO-4000)

The LEO-4000 National Sustainable Agriculture Standard will provide one unified measurement for sustainable agriculture that will meet the needs of everyone in the agricultural product supply chain from farmers to distributors, retailers, to consumers. This standard will promote movement toward regenerative agricultural practices that improve the environment, society and the economy.

• One Unified Standard: It will provide one national standard with a comprehensive set of criteria and metrics. Espoused and included in this simple tool will be the many effective certifications and eco-labels already in the field. 

• Open for Use by Everyone: Everyone can use this standard because it addresses sustainable agriculture social, economic and environmental needs on all scales. It is an open standard being developed through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process. This standard will balance the needs of all levels of the agricultural product supply chain because the development process includes stakeholders with a diverse range of expertise and perspectives.

• Broad Coverage: The first edition of the standard will cover agricultural crops. This agricultural crops edition of the standard was released for public comment in 2012. Future editions will address the rest of agriculture.

• Engages the Marketplace: It will empower the marketplace to drive increased sustainability for agriculture. It creates opportunities for all users to succeed by leveraging individual choices to advance the sustainability of agriculture.

Emissions Inventories, Offsets and Reduction Credits Standard

The LEO-5000: American National Standard for Emissions Inventories, Offsets, and Reduction Credits (addressed henceforth as Cleaner & Greener®) creates a framework for voluntary emissions reporting intended to build off of the standards and practices set forth by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), but to address some of the areas that the Cleaner & Greener® standard committee found that the GHGP does not address, namely, the holding of carbon in new and existing carbon sinks, and emissions that affect human health. Both of these areas are incredibly important to a user who wants to understand the full impact that their organization is making, and to reward and recognize all of the positive actions an organization takes to reduce the harm they do to their environment and their communities. Pollutants that affect human health include those which can cause or worsen asthma and other breathing problems, contribute to acid rain, and heavy metals like mercury and lead, which leave a negative impact on the health of people, wildlife, and vegetation. New and existing carbon sequestration and emissions reduction will receive credits as well, as a standard that includes these will incentivize organizations to make a positive impact by reducing their emissions, or sequestering carbon to offset the emissions that cannot be reduced, effectively taking these harmful pollutants out of the atmosphere. At present, Cleaner & Greener® is the only standard which addresses and brings all of these effects under one certification. 

LEO Standards Under Development:

Sustainable Organizations (LEO-1000)

Description of Standard

LEO is developing an ANSI standard for Sustainable Organizations that defines what a sustainable company or organization is and how its level of sustainability achievements can be measured and documented. The standard will address organizational achievements in the three areas of sustainability – environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic prosperity. Requirements for third-party verification of achievements under this standard will also be addressed.

Benefits of the Standard

With interest in sustainability increasing in the market place, it is difficult for investors, companies and organizations, procurement programs, and consumers to evaluate and compare the sustainability profiles of companies and organizations. By providing a third-party metric for measuring sustainability achievements, the Sustainable Organizations Standard will make it easier to evaluate and compare the sustainability of organizations. This will generate competition just as the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System has energized competition among companies and organizations on the relative levels of sustainability of their buildings. By providing clear, practical metrics for sustainability in buildings with third-party verification, the LEED rating system has created a booming sustainable building industry. Likewise the Sustainable Organization Standard will provide the language of commerce for the sustainability of companies and organizations.

Development Process

LEO is an ANSI accredited standard developer. We are following the ANSI standard development procedures, which require openness and transparency in conducting the standard development process. The process includes both standard development by a multi-stakeholder committee, as well as a public comment period. The application period for committee membership runs from June 8, 2010 to August 31, 2010. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for future openings on the standard development committee and for participation in the subcommittees. Additional openings are dependent on the need for expertise in critical areas. Please contact LEO to receive an application.

Pilot Testing

LEO will issue a pilot version of the standard to gather feedback from potential users. LEO will hold regular conference calls with the pilot participants to discuss issues and gather their input. If your company or organization wants to participate in the pilot testing of the Sustainable Organizations Standard, please email SO-Standard@leonardoacademy.org . Note: Pilot versions of the standard issues by LEO are not official ANSI standards. Only standards that have been promulgated by ANSI can be recognized as American National Standards.

There are many ways to participate in the Sustainable Organizations Standard development process:

(1)   To sign up or request and application please email: SO-Standard@leonardoacademy.org .

(2)   Apply to be a member of the standard development committee or subcommittees, or apply to be a process observer

(3)   Sign up to participate in the pilot program for the draft standard

(4)    Make a charitable donation to support the standard development process. LEO is a charitable (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization so your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

The American National Standard for Sustainable Vehicles (LEO-6000)

Trucks

Idle Reduction
Idle Reduction Technologies are devices that reduce the need for the truck driver to idle the main propulsion engine during extended rest periods when the driver needs to rest comfortably in the truck’s sleeper compartment. Idle Reduction Technologies can also be used to maintain engine warmth during extremely cold weather, operate on-board appliances, and maintain battery charge.

• Auxiliary Power Unit/Generators
• Battery Systems
• Fuel Operated Heaters
• Thermal Storage Systems 

Trailer Aerodynamics
Trailer aerodynamics can be improved by minimizing the gap between the tractor and the trailer to reduce air turbulence. Specifying wheelbase and fifth-wheel settings that position the trailer as close to the rear of the tractor as possible can reduce the tractor-trailer gap. Reducing the trailer gap from 45 to 25 inches could improve fuel economy by as much as 2 percent. Another innovative trailer option is to use side skirts. These panels hang down from the bottom of a trailer to enclose the open space between the rear wheels of the tractor and the rear wheels of the trailer. Cargo “profile” is also important. On flatbed trailers, reduce drag by arranging cargo as low and smooth as possible, securing loose tarpaulins and closing the curtains on empty curtain-sided trailers.

• Aerodynamics

Automatic Tire Inflation
When not properly inflated, tires flex more under load, producing heat and increasing rolling resistance, which wastes fuel. Automatic Tire Inflation (ATI) systems can save tire maintenance costs and improve fuel economy by nearly 1%, saving 100 gallons of fuel and eliminating one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Properly inflated tires also wear longer and have fewer punctures. ATI systems monitor and continually adjust the level of pressurized air in tires, maintaining proper tire inflation automatically, even while the truck is moving.

• Automatic Tire Inflation

Low Rolling Resistance Tires
Recent research demonstrates that low-rolling-resistance tires can improve fuel efficiency. Tires that meet the preliminary rolling resistance criteria established by the EPA are eligible to be classified as SmartWay-qualified tires. These low-rolling resistance tires provide a 3% fuel economy benefit relative to mid-range rolling resistance tires. There are 2 recognized categories of Low Rolling Resistance Tires: Single Wide-Base and Low Rolling Resistance Dual Tires

Locomotives

Automatic Shut-Down/Start-Up System
An automatic engine shut-down/start-up (AESS) system not only turns off the locomotive main engine while idling but can re-start the engine when necessary. Re-start of the main engine is typically based on a set time period, engine or ambient temperature, and other parameters (e.g., battery charge). SmartWay has only verified AESS systems for locomotives. Systems generally incorporate technologies that continuously monitor existing conditions against a preprogrammed set of values. These systems monitor the following operating conditions: reverser and throttle position, air brake cylinder pressure, engine coolant and ambient air temperature, battery voltage and charging amperage.

Auxiliary Power
Auxiliary Power Units (APU) or Generator Sets are small horsepower diesel engines placed on locomotives, allowing idling locomotives to be shut down automatically while maintaining main engine systems. The APU keeps the locomotive engine coolant water and lubricating oil at preset temperatures and maintains the battery charge. APU systems can also provide electrical current, allowing for cab heating and cooling and providing electrical power for hotel loads.

Diesel Driven Heating System
Fuel Operated Heater (FOH) systems consist of a diesel-fired burner/heat exchanger system that provides heat by combusting fuel. These systems provide heat only. The devices consume a small amount of fuel and emit some emissions. They draw diesel from the vehicle's tanks and burn it with a continuous flame in a furnace-like combustion chamber. These systems can be combined with automatic electronic engine control start/stop functions and can monitor system operation, fuel consumption, coolant water temperature, ambient temperature, locomotive battery voltage, air pressure, oil, etc.

Certified Vehicles

Buying the most environmentally friendly vehicle can be a real challenge. To help consumers compare the environmental performance of vehicles, the EPA developed the U.S. EPA SmartWay designation. Light-duty vehicles that manufacturers certify to emit the fewest air pollutants and achieve the greatest fuel economy relative to other vehicles manufactured in the same model year will receive the U.S. EPA Certified SmartWay designation. The EPA's rating system utilizes a 0–10 scoring system, with 10 being the best-performing vehicle. A vehicle receives an Air Pollution score and a GHG score. If the vehicle achieves a score of 6 or better in both categories and a combined score of at least 13, it will qualify as a U.S. EPA SmartWay Certified vehicle. A vehicle that achieves a 9 or better in both categories qualifies as an EPA SmartWay Certified Elite vehicle.

The American National Standard for Sustainable Events (LEO-7000)

Standard for Sustainability Master Planning (ANSI/LEO-9000)

This standard will be developed using the ANSI standard development process. LEO is an ANSI-accredited standard developer and this standard development process has been announced through the ANSI PIS process. Participants in the standard development process are now being recruited.

Specific ANSI/LEO-9000 Sustainability Master Plans for New Jersey , Other Leadership States, Cities and Campuses

The impacts of Hurricane Sandy along the eastern seaboard highlight the need to develop sustainability master plans that can guide and measure sustainability achievements for restoration and in the long term. In other areas where disasters have not occurred, sustainability master plans are also needed to define sustainability goals, steps for getting there and metrics for measuring progress.

Sustainability master planning brings together land use planning, sustainability for the built environment, waste management, energy efficiency, energy supply, renewable energy, transportation, water management, resource management, recreation and preservation. It takes the vision of a sustainable future for an area and makes it concrete by defining sustainability goals, implementation steps and metrics for measuring progress.

The Strategy

The LEO-9000 Sustainability Master Plan standard for sustainability master planning will be developed in tandem with the sustainability master plan for New Jersey and other states affected by Hurricane Sandy. The interplay between the development of the standard and the state-specific plans will inform and energize both processes. Eric Hansel, CEO of Navantas and Michal Arny, President of LEO, are working together to launch this process and drive it to timely completion.

The Standard and State Plans Being Developed

This LEO-9000 Sustainability Master Plan Standard will address how to develop a sustainability master plan for an area. It will be scalable so that it can be applied to a wide range of areas, such as multi-state regions or states, as well as smaller areas like corporate, government and university campuses. It will address all three aspects of sustainability—environmental, social and economic—for the region or area and define the current and target levels of sustainability, the steps and time tables required to reach the targets, and performance metrics.

The Benefits of the LEO-9000Sustainability Master Plan Standard for the Public and Businesses

Sustainability standards provide a framework that defines sustainability objectives, paths for reaching them and parameters for measuring achievements. Sustainability standards also provide recognition that helps to create incentives and a language of commerce around achieving sustainability goals. The public benefits from sustainability standards by living in a healthier environment and businesses benefit from the clearly defined framework that gives them a new opportunity to compete and be recognized for their progress on sustainability implementation. An example of this is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standard rating system for buildings, which has transformed the building industry into something more sustainable.

Standard for Type III Life-Cycle Impact Profile Declarations for Products, Services and Systems (LEO-SCS-002)

Developing the Standard
LEO is managing the development of a national standard for Type III Life-Cycle Impact Profile Declarations for Products, Services and Systems (LEO-SCS-002), under the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ANSI standard development requirements provide for an open, balanced and transparent standards-setting process that is internationally recognized. LEO, an ANSI-accredited standards development organization (SDO).

BACKGROUND:

Objective
The objective of the Type III Life-Cycle Impact Profile Declarations for Products, Services and Systems Standard (LEO-SCS-002) is to specify the life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods, scope, metrics and format for declarations. The LEO-SCS-002 standard will comply with the requirements of ISO 14044 and ASTM draft standard E06.71.10. LEO-SCS-002 is intended to develop a uniform and standardized format for properly reporting the environmental life-cycle impacts of any system studied and explicitly excludes weighting factors and interpretation of LCIA results.

Need for the Standard
Products, services and systems can have significant environmental impacts. These impacts can vary depending upon facilities and their energy sources, technologies in place, material and energy input sources, and the surrounding environments. Frequently, changes made to improve environmental performance, particularly for one aspect, can result in unintended trade-offs. In order to make informed decisions and minimize trade-offs, it is necessary to have verifiable environmental performance data and information in a consistent format, based on a full life-cycle impact assessment.

Process Stakeholders
Stakeholders include, but are not limited to:

• Service industries and their clients
• Building industry professionals
• Building owners and operators
• Material and product manufacturers, suppliers and retailers
• Energy and utility providers
• Policy makers and government representatives
• Environmental advocacy groups
• Consumer group
• Academics
• Other interested parties