Development of new environmental assessment techniques

There is always potential to improve how we assess the effects and impacts that arise from agricultural practices and land use. As our knowledge and technology has grown, so has our capability to assess environmental effects and impacts. Over two decades AERU have developed and pioneered numerous novel techniques to enhance environmental assessments in the agricultural and land use sector, both at the farm and policy levels.

Skills and services encompass the following:

• Development of indicators and metrics
• Development of aggregation and synthesise techniques
• Development of tools and techniques to aid communication and knowledge transfer

Projects

• 2020-2025: FRAMEwork: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems
• 2014-2019: Ecosystem services calculator
• 2012-2013: OSCAR - Optimal Strategies for Climate change Action in Rural areas
• 2010-2011: Effective approaches to environmental labelling of food products
• 2009-2010: The climate change mitigation potential of an EU farm: towards a farm-based integrated assessment
• 2006-2010: Functional Tools for Pesticide Risk Assessment & Management in Europe (FOOTPRINT)
• 2007-2009: Assessment of reduction in environmental burdens through targeted measures compared with whole farm approaches in cropping and livestock systems
• 2002-2003: Priorities for the environmental protection of soil
• 2000-2002: Application of the national sustainable agriculture indicators to farm level
• 1998-2021: Development of pesticide load indicators
• 1994-2017: Environmental Management for Agriculture

Publications

• Nichols, R.N., Begg, G.S., Cantú-Salazar, L., Holland, J.M., Martin, Y., Tzilivakis, J., Vray, S., Warner, D.J., Zuta, A., McHugh, N.M. (2026). A standardised protocol for measuring farmland biodiversity outcomes across European Farmer Cluster landscapes. PLoS One, 21(3): e0345691. [DOI].
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Kennedy, M.C., Ridley, L. & Garthwaite, D.G. (2026). The UK pesticide load indicator: development toward a policy tool. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B: 1-18. [DOI].
• Lewis, K.A. & Tzilivakis, J. (2025). Pesticide environmental indicators and the need to minimise uncertainty. environmental SCIENTIST, 35.2: 68-75. [Download].
• Kennedy, M., Garthwaite, D., Ridley, L. & Tzilivakis, J. (2024). UK Pesticide Load Indicator. Phase 5 Update Report. Prepared for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for Project PC0122, by FERA Science Ltd and the Agriculture and Environment Research Unit (AERU), University of Hertfordshire, UK. [Download].
• Rainford, J, Tzilivakis, J., Garthwaite, D., Jones, G. & Lewis, K.A. (2023). Finalising a Pesticide Load Indicator for the UK: Phase 4 Report. Prepared for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), UK, for project PC0116, by FERA Science Ltd and the Agriculture and Environment Research Unit (AERU), University of Hertfordshire, UK. [Download].
• Warner, D. & Tzilivakis, J. (2022). Database of metrics and indicators of farmland biodiversity and ecosystem services: Deliverable D5.2 report for the Framework project: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems (SFS-01-2018-2019-2020). European Commission, Brussels. DOI.
• Lewis, K., Rainford, J., Tzilivakis, J., & Garthwaite, D. (2021). Application of the Danish Pesticide Load Indicator to UK arable agriculture. J Environ Qual.: 1-13. DOI.
• Tzilivakis, J. & Warner, D. (2021). WP5: Biodiversity management and monitoring: DST development. 1st Annual General Assembly of the H2020 Framework project.
• Warner, D., Tzilivakis, J., Almenar, J.B., Cantú-Salazar, L., Keillor, B. & Simmons, A. (2021). Definition of requirement of the FEAST decision support tool: Deliverable 5.1 report for the Framework project: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems (SFS-01-2018-2019-2020).
• Rainford, J., Garthwaite, D., Jones, G., Tzilivakis, J. and Lewis, K.A. (2020). Developing a UK Pesticide Load Indicator. Final report for a scoping project undertaken for Defra by FERA Science Limited and the Agriculture & Environment Research Unit at the University of Hertfordshire.
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J. & Holland, J.M. (2019). Developing practical techniques for quantitative assessment of ecosystem services on farmland. Ecological Indicators, 106: 105514. DOI
• Green, A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. & Lewis, K. (2017). Problems of Benchmarking Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Dairy Agriculture. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 24(6): 1470-1489. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J. and Warner, D. (2017). Adapting the EFA Calculator software to integrate the outputs from the QuESSA project. Report for EU 7th Framework Programme Project No 311879.
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J., Green, A., Lewis, K.A. & Angileri, V. (2016). An indicator framework to help maximise potential benefits for ecosystem services and biodiversity from ecological focus areas. Ecological Indicators, 69: 859-872. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Lewis, K.A. & Warner, D.J (2014). Identifying integrated options for agricultural climate change mitigation. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 6(2): 192-211. DOI
• Green, A., Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., & Lewis, K.A. (2014). A Comparison of Carbon Accounting Tools and an Evaluation of Their Potential for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation. In: M. Hassouna & N. Guingand (Eds.), Emission of Gas and Dust from Livestock.(pp. 237-240). RMT Élevage et Environnement, Le Rheu, France.
• Lewis, K.A. & Tzilivakis, J. (2013). The Waitrose Pesticide Load Indicator. Waitrose Annual Technical Conference for the Fresh Produce Supply base, 13 November 2013.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K., Green, A., Warner, D., Fialkiewicz, W., Olearczyk, D., Bordet, C. & Langevin, B. (2013). Optimal Design of Climate Change Policies Through the EU's Rural Development Policy: Final Report to the European Commission. European Commission, Brussels.
• Lewis, K.A., Green, A., Warner, D.J. & Tzilivakis, J. (2012). Carbon accounting tools: are they fit for purpose in the context of arable cropping. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 11(2): 159-175. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Warner, D.J., McGeever, K. & Lewis, K.A. (2012). A framework for practical and effective eco-labelling of food products. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 3(1): 50-73. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J. (2011). The climate change mitigation potential of an EU farm: towards a farm-based integrated assessment. European Commission meeting of agri-environment correspondents, Brussels, Belgium, 18 March 2011.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A. & Warner, D.J. (2011). A Novel Technique for Identifying Environmental Outcomes from Agricultural Practices. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 29(1): 2-10. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A., Warner, D.J., MacMillan, T & McGeevor, K. (2011). Effective approaches to environmental labelling of food products. Final Report for Defra Project FO0419. January 2011.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A. & Warner, D.J. (2010). The Climate Change Mitigation Potential of an EU Farm: Towards a Farm-Based Integrated Assessment: Final Report for EC Project ENV.B.1/ETU/2009/0052. European Commission, Brussels.
• Warner, D.J., Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J. & Green, A. (2010). Integrated Management Options for Agricultural Climate Change Mitigation (IMPACCT). Proceedings of ‘The Dundee Conference Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010’, University of Dundee, 23 – 24 February 2010.
• Dubus, I., Azimonti, G., Bach, M., Barriuso, E., Bidoglio, G., Bouraoui, F., Centofanti, T., Coquet, Y., Feisel, B., Fialkiewicz, W., Fowler, H., Galimberti, F., Grizzetti, B., Højberg, A., Hollis, J., Jarvis, N., Kajewski, I., Kjær, J., Krasnicki, S., Lewis, K., Lobnik, F., Lolos, P., Moeys, J., Nolan, T., Rasmussen, P., Réal, B., Reichenberger, S., Šinkovec, M., Stenemo, F., Suhadolic, M., Surdyk, N., Tzilivakis, J., Vaudour, T., Avoulidou-Theodorou, E., Windhorst, E. & Wurm, D. (2009). The FOOTPRINT Software Tools: Pesticide Risk Assessment and Management in the EU at different spatial scales. Presented at CEMEPE & SECOTOX June 2009, Mykonos, Greece.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A. & Warner, D.J. (2009) Assessment of Reduction in Environmental Burdens Through Targeted Measures Compared with Whole Farm Approaches in Cropping and Livestock Systems: Final Report for Defra Project IF0131. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. & Lewis, K.A. (2009). The FOOT-FS software system: An overview. Presented at the FOOTPRINT Final Conference, Giessen, Germany, 18-19 March 2009.
• Körner, O., Warner, D., Tzilivakis, J., Eveleens, B. and Heuvelink, E. (2008). Decision Support for Optimising Energy Consumption in European Greenhouses. Acta Hort. (ISHS), 801: 803-810.
• Tzilivakis, J. & Lewis, K.A. (2007). The Beta version of FOOT-FS. Report DL26 of the FP6 EU-funded FOOTPRINT project, 28p.
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Korner, O., Eveleens, B., Heuvelink, E. and Lewis, K.A. (2008). GREENERGY - Energy optimisation in European greenhouses: D16: Core SME greenhouse growers final energy consumption data. European Commission, Brussels.
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Korner, O., Eveleens, B., Heuvelink, E. and Lewis, K.A. (2008) GREENERGY - Energy optimisation in European greenhouses: D6/D7/D8: Reference Greenhouse, Core Calculation Module and Graphical User Interface for the Energy Auditing Tool (EAT). Final Version. European Commission, Brussels.
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Korner, O., Eveleens, B., Heuvelink, E. and Lewis, K.A. (2008) GREENERGY - Energy optimisation in European greenhouses: D9: Delivery of the Energy Auditing Tool (EAT). European Commission, Brussels.
• Green, A., Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J. Dubus, I.G. & Coles, A. (2007). FOOTPRINT - Creating tools for Pesticide Risk Assessment and Management in Europe. Poster presented at Voluntary Initiative Meeting, SCI York.
• van der Werf, H.M.G., Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A. & Basset-Mens, C. (2007). Environmental impacts of farm scenarios according to five assessment methods. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 118, 327-338.
• Dubus, I., Azimonti, G., Bach, M., Barriuso, E., Bidoglio, G., Bouraoui, F., Fialkiewicz, W., Fowler, H., François, O., Højberg, A., Hollis, J., Jarvis, N., Kajewski, I., Kjær, J., Lewis, K., Lobnik, F., Lolos, P., Réal, B., Reichenberger, S., Stenemo, F., Suhadolc, M. & Vavoulidou-Theodorou. E. (2006). Developing functional tools for pesticide risk assessment and management at various scales in Europe: the EU project FOOTPRINT. SCI Conference. Pesticide Behaviour in Soils, Water and Air. Warwick.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis K.A. & Williamson, A.R. (2005). A prototype framework for assessing risks to soil functions. EIA Review 25, 181-195.
• Tzilivakis, J. & Lewis, K.A. (2004). The development and use of farm level indicators in England. Sustainable Development 12, 107-120.
• Brown, C.D., Hart, A., Lewis, K.A. & Dubus, I.G. (2003). p-EMA (I): simulating the environmental fate of pesticides for a farm-level risk assessment system. Agronomie 23, 67-74.
• Hart, A., Brown, C.D., Lewis, K.A. & Tzilivakis, J. (2003). p-EMA (II): evaluating ecological risks of pesticides for a farm-level risk assessment system. Agronomie 23, 75-84.
• Lewis, K.A., Brown, C.D., Hart, A. & Tzilivakis, J. (2003). p-EMA (III): overview and application of a software system designed to assess the environmental risk of agricultural pesticides. Agronomie 23, 85-96.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis K.A., Green, A., Warner, D.J. and Calvert, A. (2002) Priorities for the Environmental Protection of Soil. R&D Project Record P5-055 for the Environment Agency.
• Reus, J., Leendertse, P., Bockstaller, C., Fomsgaard, I., Gutsche, V., Lewis, K., Nilsson, C., Pussemier, L., Trevisan, M., Van der Werf, H., Alfarroba, F., Blümel, S., Isart, J., McGrath, D. & Seppälä, T. (2002). Comparison and evaluation of eight pesticide environmental risk indicators developed in Europe and recommendations for future use. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 90, 177–187.
• Tzilivakis, J., Broom, C., Lewis, K.A., Tucker, P., Drummond, C. & Cook, R. (1999). A strategic environmental assessment method for agricultural policy in the UK. Land Use Policy 16, 223-234.
• Lewis, K.A. & Bardon, K.S. (1998). A computer based informal environmental management system for agriculture. Journal of Environmental Modelling and Software 13, 123-127.
• Lewis, K.A. Newbold, M.J. & Broom, C.E. (1997). An eco-rating system for optimising pesticide use at farm level: Part 2 evaluation, examples and piloting. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 68, 281-289.
• Lewis, K.A., Newbold, M.J., Hall, A.M. & Broom, C.E. (1997). An eco-rating system for optimising pesticide use at farm level: Part 1 theory and development. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 68, 275-280.
• Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Skinner, J.A., Finch, J., Kaho, T., Newbold, M.J. & Bardon, K.S. (1997). Scoring and ranking farmland conservation activities to evaluate environmental performance and encourage sustainable farming. Sustainable Development 5(2), 71-78.
• Tucker, P., Lewis, K.A. & Skinner, J.A. (1995). Environmental Management in Agriculture: An Expert System Approach. Eco-Management and Auditing Journal 3(1), 9-13.