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Micro-certificate: LCA of Clean Fuels

In collaboration with the UBC Faculty of Forestry and UBC Extended Learning, BC Bioenergy Network launched an online micro-certificate program: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Clean Fuels. The program covers an introduction to LCA of clean fuels, the regulatory context in North America, LCA models, and an introduction to the techno-economic assessment of fuels to support business decisions

This micro-certificate is a flexible seven-week online program, with additional scheduled breaks included, designed to give professionals from diverse backgrounds and sectors a comprehensive understanding of LCA modelling and its applications in the transportation fuel industry—the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for 21% of national emissions.

The pilot course debuted on October 14, 2024, drawing nearly 40 students from the sector. The next start date for the spring semester is February 3, 2025.

More about the Micro-Certificate
"I would highly recommend this course for anyone who wishes to get a firm knowledge foundation about LCA and Clean Fuels."
Kim LoganCEO, LCV Consulting Ltd.
"The Life Cycle Assessment of Clean Fuels program provided a solid foundation in applying LCA principles to clean fuels. It equips companies with the knowledge to navigate compliance and make informed decisions based on life cycle impacts."
Burck HantelProcess Engineering Lead / Energy Specialist, Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries
"I had the pleasure of participating in the pilot run of the Life Cycle Assessment of Clean Fuels Program and was extremely satisfied with the experience. The program not only provides a comprehensive overview of life cycle assessments, but challenges students with the application of clean fuel policy to perform high-level life cycle assessments and to determine carbon intensities using various tools and programs. The program is led by a subject matter expert, which enhances the overall experience. I recommend this course to anyone entering the realm of life cycle assessments relating to clean fuel policy."
Lorelei MagdzikEnvironmental Engineer, EIT, Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure
"The course was very useful to me as a renewable energy project developer. It helped me to understand various aspects of renewable fuels and their GHG emission reduction potential throughout the entire life cycle of that fuel and therefore, will help making informed decisions."
Tapas BiswasCEO, Organix Energy Inc.

Program Instructor and Other Contributors

Program instructor Anna Ringsred (Beavers) is the principal consultant at ARB LCA Consulting. She has a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary and a Master of Applied Science from UBC, with a focus on biofuel Life Cycle Assessment. Anna brings over 10 years of experience conducting and reviewing fuel LCAs, including as Chief Engineer under the BC Low Carbon Fuel Standard, where she helped review fuel carbon intensities and establish carbon intensity requirements for the program.

Special thanks for the program development go to industry leaders and experts, including Professor Roland Clift (UBC), Professor Tony (Xiaotao) Bi (UBC), Don O’Connor (Owner, S&T Squared Consultants Inc), and Michael Rensing (Low Carbon Fuels Advisor). These thought leaders have contributed to shaping the course, bringing decades of expertise in clean fuels, policy, and sustainability.

BCBN extends special thanks to the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation for contributing to the course content and development.

Strengthen your LCA knowledge and enhance your career with this new online micro-certificate!
Start Here
Structure:
Course 1: Introduction to LCA of Clean Fuels (3 weeks), Course 2: Introduction to LCA within Clean Fuel Policy, Part 1 (2 weeks), Course 3: Introduction to LCA within Clean Fuel Policy, Part 2 (2 weeks).
Time Commitment:
The program consists of seven weeks of learning, with an approximate commitment of 7–8 hours per week.
Eligible Funding:
StrongerBC Future Skills Grant: up to $3,500 available per student.
Apply
Overview Video:
Watch the video for an overview of the program structure and key details prepared by the UBC Faculty of Forestry.
Watch

Why Your Knowledge of LCA Principles Matters?

Watch the video “Why Your Knowledge of LCA Principles Matters” by David Schick from the Canadian Fuels Association and read his comments on why this micro-certificate is an excellent opportunity in life cycle assessment education.

StrongerBC Future Skills Grant

The StrongerBC Future Skills Grant empowers British Columbians to shape their futures. The grant covers up to $3,500 for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. Applicants can choose from a list of over 300 programs and start training in September 2024. Applications for the StrongerBC Future Skills Grant opened on August 6, 2024. BCBN’s course on Life Cycle Assessment of Clean Fuels is among the eligible programs – apply here. See the full list of eligible programs here.

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Tasha Booth

Project Manager

Tasha Booth comes with a strong background in developing and managing educational programs in the non-profit sector. Currently, at BC Bioenergy Network, she leads curriculum development for micro-credential courses, overseeing each project from concept through launch and ongoing improvement. She collaborates with subject matter experts to ensure content quality and manages all aspects of project execution, including partnerships, timelines, budgets, and reporting.

Previously, as a Continuing Education Coordinator at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Tasha developed programs in environmental sustainability, mining, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her experience spans university and regulatory settings, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and building strategic partnerships. Tasha is passionate about creating impactful learning experiences that support professional growth. She holds a Business Administration degree from BCIT.

Petra Srutkova​

Business and Marketing Manager

Petra graduated from the Czech University of Life Sciences in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Rural Development in Tropics and Subtropics. She worked for the Czech Development Agency as a grants administrator for projects in the Czech Republic and partnering countries. In this role, Petra facilitated collaboration among the government, NGOs, and the academic sector, supporting initiatives that promoted awareness of development cooperation and capacity building. Her work took her to Moldova and Zambia.

As an adrenaline and safety enthusiast, Petra completed “Survival Training for Journalists and Humanitarian Aid Workers,” organized by the Czech Armed Forces. She later moved to Vancouver in 2019, where she enjoyed exploring Canadian nature and engaging in sports. Passionate about travelling and animal rights, she continues to seek new experiences.

Currently, as the Business and Marketing Manager at BC Bioenergy Network, Petra oversees marketing and communications, events, finances, reporting, and administration.

Ralohn Hunt

Project Director

Growing up on an orchard in the Okanagan, Ralohn cultivated a strong interest for sustainability and natural systems that sparked a seven-year career as an environmental professional in the energy industry. Throughout his experience at a consultancy firm, he built a proven track record of delivering small and large-scale projects on time and within budget for over 30 clients on 50+ projects. He completed a Master of Engineering Leadership in Green Bio-Products from the University of British Columbia in 2017 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary. As Project Director, he will support and deliver on the advancement of renewable and bio-based products through collaboration with BC Bioenergy Network’s community of businesses and innovators.

In addition to his passion for the bioeconomy and sustainability, Ralohn is an avid biker, adventurer and volunteer for a variety of personal and professional interests.

Paul Austin

Director

Paul is a Business and Corporate Development Executive in advanced technology enabled infrastructure projects, systems, products and services.

Paul has worked throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia in private and public sectors, as well as not-for-profit organizations. Building international commercial alliances and investment relationships has been his focus while working for the Federal Government of Canada and its affiliates, in addition to executive roles with several foreign multi-nationals and Canadian corporations, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Hughes Aircraft Company, Telus and MDSI Mobile Data Systems Inc. Currently, Paul is with Fort Capital Partners, a Vancouver based boutique investment bank serving clients’ advisory and capital raising needs across a broad spectrum of industries. Prior to joining Fort Capital, Paul served as Regional Director for Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a $1B+ foundation created by the Government of Canada focusing upon demonstration of pre-commercial technologies to deliver cleaner air, water, soil and reduction in greenhouse gases. Paul maintains a global network of corporate strategic, institutional and family office venture capital investors and government agencies and connects investors with private Canadian companies seeking growth capital.

Paul graduated from Queens University in Economics and completed an executive marketing program at UCLA. He loves living and learning in Vancouver, a leading centre for knowledge-based industries that is coupled with unsurpassed variety and access to outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest.

Scott Stanners

Director

Dr. Scott Stanners has worked for over fifteen years in bioenergy technology evaluation and investment and has grown a 4,000+ network in the bioenergy sector. Scott serves as Executive Director at BC Bioenergy Network, a not-for-profit funding agency that has invested over $20 million in first-of-its-kind bioenergy demonstrations in BC. Scott previously worked for a US-based technology marketing company and a Canadian engineering and management consulting company.

Scott is past-President of Pacific Energy Innovation Association; Managing Director of West Coast Bioenergy Guild; former Board Member at Canada, Australia & New Zealand Business Association; and Advisor at Eagle Energy. Scott has contributed as a mentor in the BC Innovation Council New Ventures Competition and Connecting Environmental Professionals, and as an interviewer for the Doctor of Medicine Program at UBC. Scott was awarded a PhD and a Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Enterprise from the University of Sydney, Australia in 2008, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calgary in 2000, and a professional master of Business Administration from the University of British Colombia in 2022.

David Bennett​

Director

David A. Bennett is Director, Renewable Gas and Low Carbon Fuels for FortisBC Energy Inc.
He is responsible for providing leadership to growing our renewable energy portfolio, which is a key component focused on our transition to a low-carbon future. In his former role he was responsible for all corporate and customer communications and public affairs including municipal, provincial and federal government and indigenous relations, including managing FortisBC’s consultation on its major infrastructure projects.

David has been involved in the energy industry for over 30 years, holding positions with Shell Canada, Westcoast Energy and FortisBC. During that time, his roles have included work in marketing and customer service, gas supply, business development, energy efficiency and conservation programs, public affairs and communications.
David is a Director on the Surrey Board of Trade, the Private Sector Co-Chair of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, a member of the Executive Committee and Policy Chair of the National Electricity Roundtable and Chair of the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria with a double major in economics and computer science.

Vivian Kan

Director

Vivian Kan is a Director in the Cleantech Practice at BDC Capital Inc. Vivian has over 15 years of experience in business development, structuring, risk analysis, and commercial and corporate finance. She has helped some of Canada’s top exporters and emerging global entrepreneurs in sectors ranging from cleantech, oil and gas, mining, transportation, infrastructure, light manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, forestry pulp and paper, and consumer products. Vivian holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Calgary and has completed the Certificate in Carbon Finance from the University of Toronto’s Centre for Environment.

Dave Schick

Chairperson

Dave Schick is the Vice President of the Canadian Fuels Association. He has worked in the downstream energy business for over 30 years, primarily for a major integrated oil company in a variety of government relations, marketing, systems development, planning and finance roles, including his position as the Director of Policy and External Affairs at Parkland Fuel Corporation. Dave is active in the development of environmental policy at the federal, provincial and local levels. Recent activities include technical development of the Clean Fuel Standard and evolving the B.C. Low Carbon Fuel Standard to meet CleanBC targets. He has served as chair of the B.C. Used Oil Management Association for over 11 years.