Our Name
We wanted to give ourselves a name that defines the unique services we provide our clients and the principles we promote in every project we take on.
“SPARA” is an Icelandic verb that means “conserve" or “sustain”. These actions define what we provide our clients as they address issues of carbon and sustainability. We think it sounds pretty good too.
Our Team
Stephen Boles (MSc, EP)
Gudmundur Johannesson (MSc PhD)
Gudmundur Johannesson (MSc PhD)
SPARA Director of Operations
Stephen has been active in the sustainability community as a scientist and consultant for over 25 years. From 1998 - 2006 Stephen worked as a scientist at one of the world’s leading climate change research centers at the University of New Hampshire. He researched how changes in the management of agriculture and forestry land uses influence GHG emissions.
As a consultant, Stephen has experience working within many environmental and sustainability reporting frameworks, including SBTi, SASB, TCFD, GRI, CDP, and numerous regulatory reporting programs. He has led sustainability or climate action projects for clients in numerous industry sectors, including bio-energy, oil and gas, chemical production, municipal operations, humanitarian operations, and industrial manufacturing. Stephen has also led dozens of projects to certify biochar-based carbon dioxide removals, carbon offset development, life cycle assessments, and risk and opportunity strategic planning.
In addition to his experience leading projects, Stephen has volunteered as an expert team member on two committees led by Environment and Climate Change Canada to develop carbon offset protocols for Canada’s upcoming national carbon trading market.
Gudmundur Johannesson (MSc PhD)
Gudmundur Johannesson (MSc PhD)
Gudmundur Johannesson (MSc PhD)
LCA & Sustainability Specialist
Gudmundur is an environmental expert with 10+ years experience in ISO 14040/44 compliant Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) projects that, among others, include conventional and renewable energy, biofuels, and industrial systems. Gudmundur has prepared focused LCA reports for several biochar production projects that are certified or seeking certification under the Puro.earth carbon dioxide removal program.
Gudmundur has 20+ year experience in applied research that includes GHG emission measurements using agrometeorological approach and emission modeling according to IPCC protocols. Other research and development work includes soil science, agronomy, organic waste, and agriculture water quality, both in the field and laboratory settings using a variety of instrumentation, protocols, and data analysis.
Gudmundur has volunteered as an expert committee member on the working group that is to reviewing and updating the Puro.earth biochar carbon removal methodology. He also served as an expert reviewer during the formation of the Canadian government's Renewable Fuel Standard regulations.