2003 bell 08 birky

Phosphate Research and Sustainable Development: 

Phosphate Research and Sustainable Development Brian K. Birky, Ph.D. Research Director Public and Environmental Health Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Slide2: 

The Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (FIPR)

Slide3: 

An Independent State Research Agency Governed By a Board of Directors Appointed by the Governor Funded by the Severance Tax on Phosphate Rock

Global Industry: 

Global Industry Applied research Based in Florida Useful worldwide

FIPR’s Revenue: 

FIPR’s Revenue Severance Tax Subject to market conditions Subject to Legislative actions Need to Diversify Patents Intellectual Property

FIPR’s Mission: 

FIPR’s Mission Environment and Public Health Research Conduct or sponsor research about the safety and health of employees, contractors, neighboring communities and the public, and the surrounding environment Technology Research Maximize efficient utilization of resources while minimizing environmental impacts Education and Public Information

Sustainable Development: 

Sustainable Development Meet current needs without undermining future generations’ ability to meet theirs Principles Environmental Social Economic

How is it done?: 

How is it done? How does FIPR follow the sustainable development model? How does FIPR implement a multiple stakeholder approach?

Environmental Principle: 

Environmental Principle Environmental stewardship New technologies must be beneficial to the environment or neutral Pollution prevention Source-control technology, technical innovation Resource stewardship Maximize mining and processing efficiency including water, energy and raw materials, minimize losses

Social Principle: 

Social Principle Safety and human health Protect the health and safety of employees, contractors, and community Stakeholder engagement and transparency Develop partnerships and seek input from key stakeholders and provide them with relevant information in a timely and open manner Communities

Multiple Stakeholder Representation: 

Multiple Stakeholder Representation FIPR’s Board of Directors Two from the phosphate industry One representing environmental concerns (currently from the Audubon Society) One representing regulatory concerns (usually from the DEP) One from the state university system (usually a dean or department chair)

Economic Principle: 

Economic Principle Shareholder return Economic contribution

Economics in Research: 

Economics in Research Is new technology cost-effective? Retro-fitting an existing plant Building a new plant Has the PI demonstrated a benefit? Scientists and engineers need business training

Serendipity or Common Sense?: 

Serendipity or Common Sense? FIPR was almost certainly not conceived with ‘sustainable development’ in mind a quarter century ago The fact that the principles were incorporated in FIPR’s design validates the sustainable development concept

In Conclusion: 

In Conclusion Almost all of the sustainable development bullets in today’s presentation were taken from the Rio Tinto Borax program and they fit FIPR perfectly