Environmental Trade-offs in Commodity Production (2014)

Contact full name: 
Martha Stevenson
Project Status: 
Project in Progress
Year project was Completed: 
2014
Client Organization: 
The World Wildlife Fund, Transforming Markets Initiative
Client Website: 
The World Wildlife Fund, Transforming Markets Initiative
Client is confirmed: 
yes
SNRE Faculty Advisor: 
Ming Zu
Advisor Confirmed: 
yes
Master Students Involved in Project: 
  • Jen Bowe, MS Behavior, Education and Communication
  • Kenny Fahey, MBA/MS Environmental Policy and Planning
  • Mallory McLaughlin, MBA/MS Sustainable Systems
  • Julia Ruedig, MBA/MS Sustainable Systems
  • Sheena VanLeuven, MBA/MS Environmental Policy and Planning
  • Jay Wolfgram, MBA/MS Sustainable Systems
City: 
Washington
Contact Phone: 
202-495-4799
State or Country: 
D.C.
Contact e-mail: 
martha.stevenson@wwfus.org
Contact information: 
I am a staff member of a potential client organization
Job title: 
Senior Program Officer, Research & Development, Markets Program
Project Location : 
Washington, D.C./ Ann Arbor, MI
Summary of Project Idea: 

The World Wildlife Fund's Market Transformation Initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of global commodity production through partnership with major companies and their supply networks.  The project consists of researching over 15 priority commodities to compare the "footprint" or impact results of these commodities from various sources. Through deep engagement with the commodity leads and other experts within the network, the project will identify the key factors in production methods and potential trade-offs among methods.

Skills/Expertise Needed: 
  • Understanding of supply chain systems & business operations
  • Understanding of product life cycles and life cycle assessment
  • A high level of skill in Microsoft Excel
  • Experience in a wide variety of research methods.
SNRE Program Areas: 
Behavior, Education, and Communication
Sustainable Systems
Professional Career Development Benefits: 

Students will have the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of corporate & non-profit partnerships - a model that is increasingly prevalent. This project will give students an idea of how such partnerships can work to reduce the environmental impact of business operations. This work will develop key skills for students, including:

  • primary source research skills including interviewing and analyzing original documents 
  • familiarity with commodities market structures
  • experience in life cycle analysis
  • non-profit strategy

There will be opportunities to network with:

  • many members of the WWF in varying departments and capacities
  • experts in commodities markets and agriculture
  • (potentially) WWF partner corporations
Funding Sources: 



Identify expected products/deliverables: 

The final deliverable will be an internal paper and annotated spreadsheet reporting on various metrics at production, cradle to gate and full life cycle, which will inform the future strategy of the Market Initiative.