ADAS is leading projects which are developing GHG methodologies and mitigation measures for food production and agriculture generally, most notably through its involvement for Defra in testing the BSI Publicly Available Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services (PAS 2050). 
The ADAS work involved making recommendations to improve the draft BSI methodology for GHG assessment on a range of simple and complex foods. Key to this is understanding the production processes of crops and animals from a range of different production systems including intensive, extensive and organic.
The PAS 2050 is also being tested on products through the food manufacturing stage by Campden BRI (formerly CCFRA). Their focus is on highly processed foods requiring high temperature processing and/or refrigeration.
By applying the PAS 2050 method at each stage of the supply chain it will be possible for organisations to calculate both direct and indirect GHG emissions of their food products, which can be used to target where GHG emission reductions can be made.
In addition to this work, in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Accounting (CenSA), ADAS uses a footprint modelling programme called Bottomline3 UK. The model works to rapidly analyse the direct and indirect economic, environmental and social impacts of an organisation’s operations. Bottomline3 UK uses a different approach to the PAS 2050 methodology where financial accounts are used to assess both direct and indirect, embodied energy use and the resulting GHG emissions. Bottomline3 UK is best suited to footprinting businesses whereas, PAS 2050 is more appropriate for assessing the carbon footprint of a product.
This range of experience and expertise makes ADAS uniquely placed to help businesses determine, analyse and improve the carbon footprint of their organisation or product.