Overview
Background
Marguerite Renouf BSc(Hons)/BA, PhD (Env Man) UQ is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemical Engineering's Water-Energy-Carbon Research Group (www.chemeng.uq.edu.au/water-energy-carbon).
She has worked in environmental research at UQ for 20 years, with a particular interest in the environmental evaluation of production systems and urban systems using environmental life cycle assessment (LCA), urban metabolism evaluation and eco-efficiency analysis. She is interested how we can produce and consume with less drain on the environment.
Since completing a PhD in 2011, she has driven a stream of research that evaluates the environmental performance of agri-based product supply chains and products (bio-fuels, bio-materials, food, beverages) using LCA. She has collaborated with industries and researchers in Australia and overseas to develop LCA tools for industry to support the identification of more environmentally-friendly production practices and processes.
Prior to this, her research was concerned with eco-efficiency in manufacturing industries (food processing, metal industries, retail and tourism sectors) and was a long-term contributor to UQ’s Working Group for Cleaner Production (now operating as the Eco-Efficienc Group), and its Director for three years (2009-2012).
Currently, Marguerite is a lead researcher with the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, develop methods and metrics for quantifiying the water water-sensitive performance of Australian cities, using urban metabolism approaches. In this work she collaborates cloesely with urban planners, water manager and architects.
Availability
- Dr Marguerite Renouf is:
- Not available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science/Arts, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) methods for agri-food and bio-production
Refining methodologies for characterising and quantifying the environmental impacts of agriculture in 'life cycle assessment' (LCA). This is needed to ensure an accurate representation of the environmental impacts agriculture, for use in studies of food and bio-products. The environmental impacts of most interest are water quality impacts (eutrophication, eco-toxicity), water resource depletion as well as global warming potential.
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Environmental sustainability of food systems
Quantifying the environmental performance of food products and food systems using the 'life cycle assessment' (LCA) method. This is used to understand priority areas for improving the environmental sustainability of agriculture, food processing and distribution and retail.
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Water metabolism of cities
Developing and applying evaluation methods that quantify how efficiently water is used and managed in urban areas (cities, precincts, catchments). This is used to help urban planners and water managers make strategic and innovative decisions about how water systems are desgined, particularly in fast-growing cities.
Research impacts
Marguerite's PhD research used life cycle assessment (LCA) to test the environmental benefits of using sugarcane as feedstock for bio-energy, bio-fuels and bio-materials. This work has helped understand the consequences of agriculture's changing role as a provider of energy and materials in addition to food and fibre. For example, the Queensland Government policy on bio-fuels drew on Dr Renouf’s research and data about sugarcane ethanol.
An extension of this was industry-funded research to develop the CaneLCA eco-efficiency tool for susugarcane producers (available at eshop.uniquest.com.au). It has been used by researchers and agricultural extension personnel to inform about more sustainable sugarcane growing practices. For example, a sugar-industry project used the tool to validate the environmental benefits of improved sugarcane growing practices to protect water quality in the Great Barrier Reef. A tool of viticulture (VitLCA) has also been developed in collaboration with an agricultural University in France, which is being used to teach vineyard apprentices about sustainable viticulture practices.
Marguerite has influenced LCA developments in Australia. She has been an active member of the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS), including a Board Member (2013-2017), Chair of the Australian Life Cycle Inventory (AusLCI) Database Agriculture Working Group (2008-2014) and the ALCAS Impact Assessment Committee (2013-ongoing), and on the conference organising committee (2013, 2015).
Her past contributions to UQ’s Working Group for Cleaner Production (1997 - 2012) helped support the Queensland Government's promotion of sustainable practices to Queensland manufacturing sectors (food processing, foundries, metal finishing, marine construction and general manufacturing). This included high-quality eco-efficiency information resources about (www.ecoefficiency.com.au), which continue to be a primary source of technical guidance for implementing eco-efficiency in these industries.
Works
Search Professor Marguerite Renouf’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Journal Article
Evaluation approaches for advancing urban water goals
Renouf, Marguerite A. and Kenway, Steven J. (2016). Evaluation approaches for advancing urban water goals. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21 (4), 995-1009. doi: 10.1111/jiec.12456
2016
Other Outputs
Urban metabolism for planning water sensitive cities: concept for an urban water metabolism evaluation framework
Renouf, Marguerite, Kenway, Steve, Serrao-Neumann, Silvia and Low Choy, Darryl (2016). Urban metabolism for planning water sensitive cities: concept for an urban water metabolism evaluation framework. Clayton, VIC, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.
2016
Other Outputs
Best Practice Guide for Mid‐Point Life Cycle Impact Assessment in Australia -Version 2
Renouf, M. A., Grant, T., Sevenster, M., Logie, J., Ridoutt, B., Ximenes, F., Bengtsson, J., Cowie, A. and Lane, J. (2016). Best Practice Guide for Mid‐Point Life Cycle Impact Assessment in Australia -Version 2. Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society.
2016
Other Outputs
Urban metabolism planning for water sensitive cities
Renouf, Marguerite, Kenway, Steve, Serraro-Neumann, Silvia and Low Choy, Darryl (2016). Urban metabolism planning for water sensitive cities. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: CRC Water Sensitive Cities.
2016
Book Chapter
Greenhouse gas abatement from sugarcane bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials
Renouf, Marguerite A. (2016). Greenhouse gas abatement from sugarcane bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials. Sugarcane-based biofuels and bioproducts. (pp. 333-362) edited by Ian M. O'Hara and Sagadevan G. Mundree. Hoboken NJ, United States: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118719862.ch13
2015
Journal Article
Environmental implications of using 'under utilised agricultural land' for future bioenergy crop production
Miyake, Saori, Smith, Carl, Peterson, Ann, McAlpine, Clive, Renouf, Marguerite and Waters, David (2015). Environmental implications of using 'under utilised agricultural land' for future bioenergy crop production. Agricultural Systems, 139, 180-195. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.06.010
2014
Other Outputs
Northern Australian Beef Supply Chain Life Cycle Assessment – Final Report
Wiedemann, S. G., Murphy, C. M., McGahan, E. J., Renouf, M. A., Prasad, P., Bonner, S. L., Zadow, E. N. and Henry, B. (2014). Northern Australian Beef Supply Chain Life Cycle Assessment – Final Report.
2014
Journal Article
Assessing the environmental benefits of practice change using the CaneLCA ecoefficiency calculator
Renouf, M. A., Schroeder, B. L., Price, N. and Allsopp, P. G. (2014). Assessing the environmental benefits of practice change using the CaneLCA ecoefficiency calculator. International Sugar Journal, 116 (1390), 754-759.
2014
Conference Publication
Representing soil function in agriculture LCA in the Australian context
Renouf, Marguerite, Eady, Sandra, Grant, Tim, Grundy, Mike and Brandão, Miguel (2014). Representing soil function in agriculture LCA in the Australian context. 9th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-Food Sector (LCA Food 2014), San Francisco, United States, 8-10 October 2014. San Francisco, United States: American Centre for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA).
2013
Conference Publication
CaneLCA: a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based eco-efficiency calculator for Australian sugarcane growing
Renouf, M. A., Allsopp, P.G., Price, N. and Schroeder, B. L. (2013). CaneLCA: a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based eco-efficiency calculator for Australian sugarcane growing. ASSCT 2013: Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Townsville, QLD, Australia, 16-18 April 2013. Mackay Mail Center, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
2013
Book Chapter
Sustainable production
Kershaw, Will and Renouf, Marguerite (2013). Sustainable production. Sustainability in Australian business : principles and practice. (pp. 315-342) edited by Gianna Moscardo, Geoffrey Lamberton, Geoffrey Wells, Wayne Fallon, Phillip Lawn, Anna Rowe, Jacquelyn Humphrey, Retha Wiesner, Brad Pettitt, Don Clifton, Marguerite Renouf and Will Kershaw. Milton, QLD, Australia: John Wiley and Sons Australia.
2013
Conference Publication
Application of LCA in Australia agriculture: a review
Renouf, Marguerite A. and Fujita-Dimas, Carlos (2013). Application of LCA in Australia agriculture: a review. ALCAS Conference 2013: 8th Life Cycle Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 16-18 July, 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Assessing the environmental benefits of practice change using the CaneLCA eco-efficiency calculator
Renouf, M. A., Schroeder, B. L., Price, N. and Allsopp, P. G. (2013). Assessing the environmental benefits of practice change using the CaneLCA eco-efficiency calculator. ASSCT 2013: Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Townsville, QLD, Australia, 16-18 April, 2013. Mackay Mail Center, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
2013
Conference Publication
Development of a tool for rapid life cycle assessment of sugar and associated energy products
Hobson, P.A. and Renouf, M. A. (2013). Development of a tool for rapid life cycle assessment of sugar and associated energy products. ASSCT 2013: Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Townsville, QLD, Australia, 16-18 April, 2013. Mackay Mail Center, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
2012
Journal Article
Land-use and environmental pressures resulting from current and future bioenergy crop expansion: a review
Miyake, Saori, Renouf, Marguerite, Peterson, Ann, McAlpine, Clive and Smith, Carl (2012). Land-use and environmental pressures resulting from current and future bioenergy crop expansion: a review. Journal of Rural Studies, 28 (4), 650-658. doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2012.09.002
2011
Other Outputs
Environmental evaluation of product diversification in sugarcane systems using life-cycle assessment: An Australian case study
Marguerite Renouf (2011). Environmental evaluation of product diversification in sugarcane systems using life-cycle assessment: An Australian case study. PhD Thesis, School of Geography, Planning & Env Management, The University of Queensland.
2010
Conference Publication
Eco-efficiency in Australian food processing: An update of implementation, drivers and barriers
Prasad, P., Renouf, M. A., Williams, M., Pagan, R., Price, N. and Gaffel, J. (2010). Eco-efficiency in Australian food processing: An update of implementation, drivers and barriers. 9th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10-12 June 2010.
2010
Conference Publication
Environmental benefits and trade-offs of producing bio-energy and bio-materials from Australian sugarcane
Renouf, M. A., Pagan, R. J. and Wegener, M. K. (2010). Environmental benefits and trade-offs of producing bio-energy and bio-materials from Australian sugarcane. Conference of the Australian Society of Sugarcane Technologists, Bundaberg, Australia, 11-14 May 2010. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Sugarcane Technologists.
2010
Conference Publication
Outcomes of mandatory water efficiency in business - A case study from South East Queensland, Australia
Price, N., Renouf, M. A. and Pagan, R. J. (2010). Outcomes of mandatory water efficiency in business - A case study from South East Queensland, Australia. 9th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10-12 June 2010.
2007
Conference Publication
Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of sugarcane production and processing in Australia
Marguerite Renouf and Wegener, Malcolm K. (2007). Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of sugarcane production and processing in Australia. 29th Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Cairns, 8-11May 2007. Brisbane: Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Marguerite Renouf is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Framework for Integrated urban water management for infill development with limited dependency on urban infrastructure.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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Master Philosophy
Contribution of alternative water sources to urban water security
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
Completed supervision
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2024
Master Philosophy
Contribution of Alternative Water Sources to Urban Water Security (UWS) in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the relationship between urban water management and liveability: conceptualisations and opportunities for assessment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Water performance evaluation of infill development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the food-water-energy-greenhouse gas emissions nexus in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Environmental Consequences of Land use Changes for Bioenergy Crop Production at a Regional Scale
Associate Advisor
Media
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