Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) and Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) · International · Green Business Certification Inc., with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals as education partner
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersEnergy systems and their environmental footprints, and the transition in agriculture: fossil and renewable sources, energy-environment nexus, energy efficiency and auditing, and agri-energy options. Solar, wind and bioenergy engineering is in the Agricultural Engineering track (renewable-energy-sources, bioenergy-systems); this subject covers the environmental assessment and policy.
In the exams: GATE ES Section 9 (energy and environment); ICAR AICE subject 71 Unit 6 (whole unit); UGC NET Unit 5; BEE energy auditor exam
How our questions for Sustainability Excellence Associate and Sustainability Excellence Professional spread across the units of Energy, Environment & Agri-energy Transitions. Difficulty: 1 easy, 11 medium, 3 hard.
| Electrification and decarbonisation pathways for farms | 3 | |
| Just transition in energy | 3 | |
| Energy use in agriculture and food systems | 2 | |
| Agrivoltaics and land competition | 2 | |
| Global energy resources and reserves | 1 | |
| Renewable and non-renewable sources and their impacts | 1 | |
| The energy-environment nexus | 1 | |
| Energy efficiency and energy auditing | 1 | |
| Bioenergy sustainability: land use, food-versus-fuel, carbon debt | 1 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
What is a growing environmental issue for solar photovoltaics as installed capacity ages?
B. End-of-life panel waste after 25–30 years, needing recycling
Panels reach end of life after 25–30 years, creating a large waste stream containing glass, aluminium, silicon and metals. They do not emit methane or radioactivity in operation.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
Which example illustrates a synergy in the water–energy–food nexus?
A. Manure biogas giving fuel and fertiliser, cutting methane
Biogas links waste management, energy and nutrient recycling. The other examples shift burdens from one sector to another.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
How did the natural gas price spike of 2021–2022 affect food systems?
A. It raised nitrogen fertiliser prices, passing energy costs on to food
Gas is the main feedstock and fuel for ammonia, so gas price spikes raised fertiliser costs and pressured food prices. The other statements are wrong.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
Why have some countries set minimum yield or height rules for agrivoltaics?
C. To stop developers claiming dual use while farming only token crops
Rules define genuine agrivoltaics so that agricultural production remains significant. They do not cap income, ban grazing or require low panels.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
Which siting option for solar power avoids competition with farmland?
A. Floating solar on reservoirs and canal tops
Floating, canal-top and rooftop solar use no new land; clearing forests or converting productive farmland increases competition and impacts.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
Which measure does the EU Renewable Energy Directive use to limit the risks of crop-based biofuels?
D. Food-crop caps and phase-out of high-ILUC feedstock
RED sets GHG savings thresholds, excludes high-carbon-stock and biodiverse land, caps food and feed crops and phases out high-ILUC feedstock such as much palm oil. It promotes, not bans, advanced biofuels.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
Procedural justice in an energy transition concerns
A. who takes part in decisions, including affected communities
Procedural justice is about participation and fair process. The other statements describe distributional, recognition and restorative justice.
Further reading: See the manual sources: IPCC AR5/AR6 WGIII energy chapters, IEA, FAO (2011), BEE guide books and the studies named in the explanation
Ten here, 15 in the app. The Laisha app has every practice question we have written to Sustainability Excellence Associate and Sustainability Excellence Professional in this subject, marked as you go, with timed papers, a jump-to-unanswered list and a certificate when you pass at 70 per cent.
Free for ten days, then one subscription of US$10 a month. We would rather say so here than have you find it later.
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