What is a product carbon footprint?
A product carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gas emissions at each stage of the product’s life. This includes:
- Extraction, production and transportation of raw materials
- Manufacture or service provision
- Distribution
- End-use
- Disposal/recycling
At each stage greenhouse gas emissions can result from such sources as: energy use, transportation fuel refrigerant losses from air conditioning units and waste. In the case of a “service product” the life-cycle stages are defined across the duration of the service.
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Why calculate - product carbon footprint
Measuring a product’s carbon footprint offers a number of benefits, including:
- Attracting customers
Customers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the goods and services they use. Working with the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company or demonstrating a lower footprint than competitor products can deliver competitive advantage.
- Brand identity
Reporting product carbon footprints shows that an organisation takes its social responsibility seriously.
- Leadership
Reporting your products’ carbon footprints will support your corporate responsibility programme and enhance your reputation.
- Cost savings
Identifying areas where greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced often results in cost savings - in terms of transport energy, waste and packaging for example.
- Emissions savings
Looking at the whole supply chain could help you identify savings.
- Engage with supply chain
You can use the analysis of your product/service’s carbon footprint to develop better relationships with your supply chain.
- Integrate carbon into decision making
A thorough product carbon footprint will help you to reduce emissions due to factors such as: suppliers, choice of materials, manufacturing processes and product designs.
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How to calculate - product carbon footprint
Before you start any calculation or assessment, we advise that you think very carefully about the following issues:
- Purpose of footprint
Is it to be used internally to analyse the supply chain or publicly disclosed?
- Level of detail required
Do you need a high level approach that identifies possible savings, or a detailed analysis that can be externally verified required?
- Level of effort
What internal resources are available for the analysis?
Depending on how you answer the above questions, you will be able to judge what type of product carbon footprint you need. In most cases, we advise you to use a standard method - this will make it easier for you and also help enable comparison with other products or services.
Available resources include:
The PAS2050 sets out 5 basic steps to determine a product carbon footprint:
- Process map
Detail all the materials, activities and processes that contribute to each stage of the chosen product’s life cycle.
- Check boundaries and prioritisation
Define which emissions will be included and excluded – for example: you may wish to focus data collection on the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Collecting data
Collect data based on actual meter readings and records - only use estimates if absolutely necessary. Select appropriate emissions conversions factors (for example, kgCO2/litre of fuel).
- Calculate footprint
Calculate the greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO2e per product unit) from each source.
- Check uncertainty
Provide an assessment of the margin of error for your calculation. This can be a statistical analysis or a simple assessment of data quality.
The Carbon Trust Footprinting Company certifies product carbon footprints against a standard set of rules. This makes it easier for people to compare the carbon footprints of different products and services.
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How we can help
Once you have calculated your product carbon footprint – the next step is to identify ways to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
We have a range of resources to help you cut carbon and reduce costs. If you are making year on year reductions, certify and communicate your success with the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company.