Manager
The Global Feed LCA Institute
The Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI), a non-profit created by and for the animal feed sector, forms the basis for environmental footprints through lifecycle assessment for the industry and is broadly acknowledged as such. The methodology aligns with two major documents on this topic: The FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment & Performance (LEAP) and the European Commission Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) Feed. One of the pillars of GFLI is its position within the full supply chain, aiming for visibility and recognition from downstream partners to ensure that the animal feed aspect of animal-sourced food is accounted for using the best available data.
DATA
Focusing on attracting data in multiple forms, GFLI offers the sector the possibility to provide data in different aggregations. These data in projects can be led by (inter)national industry associations, company consortia, or individual companies. All projects follow the GFLI methodology and procedures, and data quality assurance is provided through an external review statement. Each provider has different reasons for starting a project, but all are focused on expressing their environmental performance. With the collected GFLI data, our data users can calculate their performance further downstream and provide valuable insights to farmers, processors, or integrators who actively collaborate with animal feed producers.
STAKEHOLDER CONNECTION
As a feed industry initiative, GFLI must fulfill a role across multiple levels of the animal protein supply chain. The inputs for data projects are highly focused on materials that are produced, cultivated, or processed by suppliers to the animal feed sector. The dependence of these companies on reliable data is therefore a key issue for GFLI to address. We see our corporate members actively engaging with their suppliers and working together to obtain the best data, and we are thrilled that multiple industry associations representing these raw materials have decided to join as members.
VALUE CHAIN
Across the supply chain, GFLI is working hard to connect with downstream partners to become the go-to source for credible and reliable LCA information on feed-related materials. With increasing reporting requirements, we are well aware that the calculated data will be used throughout the entire supply and value chain to meet these standards. Acceptance of GFLI as that source of data is crucial to ensure that end users can make transparent and credible comparisons or marketing claims.
POLICY MAKING
In light of the challenges in the global supply chain, national governments play an important role in emission reductions under climate agreements. The possibility that each government may develop its own database, methodology, or legislation poses a risk of fragmentation. GFLI’s focus on providing credible and comparable LCA data that can be used throughout the entire value chain can play a major role in aligning these national initiatives. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which has 38 member countries, explores this topic through reports, webinars, and workshops within its Trade and Agriculture Directorate. An OECD paper in 2023 described the “fast and furious” rise of initiatives to measure environmental impacts in food systems and discussed the risks of fragmentation. A follow-up report in early 2025 identified eight building blocks necessary for reliable and widespread measurement of carbon footprints in agri-food products.
GFLI & OECD
Collaboration with an institute like the OECD is extremely important for GFLI. GFLI and the OECD share a common goal: Easing reporting burdens for companies and organizations while empowering governments to enhance transparency using the latest science-based insights. “Collaborating with GFLI has caught our interest because it is an industry initiative where the sector came together to reduce fragmentation in methods and data. We believe that is an important step,” said Koen Deconinck, economist and policy analyst at the OECD’s Trade and Agriculture Directorate.
CO-ORGANIZED SEMINAR BY GFLI & OECD
September 23, 2025, marks a milestone for the Global Feed LCA Institute, as it organizes its first seminar jointly with the OECD. The event will leverage the expertise and engagement of GFLI members and stakeholders to shape the landscape for environmental footprint reporting and emission reductions. Jasper Dalhuisen, Dutch agricultural counsellor at the OECD, played a major role in bringing this joint seminar to life.
SEMINAR AGENDA AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
What can you expect from the seminar? During the day, we’ll explore five key topics:
• Why and how we measure environmental footprints of animal feed
• (Inter)national efforts to communicate environmental footprints
• Examples of firm-specific data validation
• Utilizing GFLI data in tools and solutions
• The future of feed LCA data
Highly engaged GFLI members—including sectoral and company-specific data providers, national feed associations, and tool developers—will share how they interact with the Institute and its database. Their clear vision for environmental footprint reporting enables rich discussions on achieving uniform metrics. We appreciate their transparency and their expectations of us to anticipate our role in their journeys.
Join the digital stream of the seminar for free!
We welcome everyone to join the seminar via our streaming service to follow the event online and participate in discussions with other attendees!
CONNECT WITH GFLI TO DRIVE CHANGE ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN
We look forward to welcoming everyone to this interactive and in-depth seminar. We hope it sets a precedent for GFLI to continue its outreach and connection across the full supply chain, ensuring the animal feed sector is well represented in the environmental footprinting of animal-sourced food products.
Are you interested in engaging with GFLI or inviting us to speak at one of your industry meetings? Feel free to reach out. With your support, GFLI can organize more in-person meetings, reduce the burden of data provision, and increase the uptake of credible and reliable data throughout the entire value chain.
