Understanding and implementing a product carbon footprint is one of the first steps you can take in order to reach your sustainability targets as a business. Companies can use these detailed calculations to set specific targets for how their company can reduce product emissions. These goals are becoming more important for companies to achieve as global warming is on the rise.
In this article, we’ll explore what a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is, why they are important, how they are measured, and benefits of calculating them.
What is a Product Carbon Footprint?
A product carbon footprint measures the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production of a certain product, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and transportation, to end of life disposal or recycling.
Product Carbon Footprint vs. Generic Carbon Footprint
There is a slight difference between product carbon footprint and full carbon footprint:
A product carbon footprint solely focuses on the emissions caused by a specific product, from raw materials to end-of-cycle disposal or recycling. Calculations are typically measured in Kg CO₂ per product unit.
On the other hand, a generic carbon footprint measures the total emissions produced by an entire entity across all activities, from transport to electricity usage. To be clear, a product carbon footprint is a subsection of a company’s overall carbon footprint.
Why is a Product Carbon Footprint Important?
Product Carbon Footprints provide critical data which contribute to the transition towards a carbon neutral economy. The reduction of product carbon footprints can help companies create targeted goals in order to fight climate change.
Identifying the resources with the highest carbon footprint can help companies reduce certain products which produce the most greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle. By doing this, companies can drive the transition towards a more sustainable future.
How to Measure your Product Carbon Footprint
There are numerous ways to calculate your product carbon footprint, as examined further below.
The Basic Method
This is the most simple and efficient method of calculating your product carbon footprint. It involves calculating the emissions based on the weight of a certain product.
Example:
A 150g aluminium pen:
- Emission factor for aluminium = 8.6 kg CO₂e per kg
- Total emissions = 0.15 kg × 8.6 = 1.29 kg CO₂e
Advantages:
- Rapid and efficient.
- Provides a helpful benchmark for deeper analysis to come.
ISO Standard Method – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
This method involves conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the product. The approach involves an accurate calculation of emissions the product completes, from raw materials to disposal. This method also includes using approved data, therefore calculations are completely credible and precise.
Advantages:
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- Higher accuracy and coverage of the full, detailed life cycle of the product.
- Using approved, credible data.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
This assessment expands upon the ISO Standard Method. The ISO-compliant LSA data is given to an external verifier who examines the standards, checks the data and approves it. This data is then published on a global database.
Advantages:
- The highest level of precision and accuracy.
- Recognition from markets and stakeholders.
- Provides a competitive edge in the market.
Doing an LCA and an EPD with a Carbon Accounting Platform
An LCA showcases the environmental impact of your product at every stage of its life cycle, from raw material extraction to waste disposal and recycling. LCAs are the foundation stage of all EPDs and provide framework for measuring the environmental impact of a product. It examines all stages of the production process from raw material extraction, manufacture, transport, use, maintenance, to disposal and recycling.
Additionally, an EPD is an independently verified document which outlines a product’s environmental impact across its complete lifecycle. They can be a fantastic way to demonstrate a company’s sustainability efforts, meet science-based targets and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
Using a carbon accounting platform can:
⇒ Help streamline EPD reporting, making it less time consuming and completely pain-free.
⇒ Be customised to measure all of the LCA or parts of it, fulfilling your precise needs and providing flexibility.
⇒ Make the process more efficient and accurate by automating data collection.
⇒ Ensure reliable calculations align with global standards such as ISO 14025.
⇒ Streamline the certification process, allowing scalability for complex datasets.
⇒ Be integrated within existing systems to enhance workflows.
⇒ Provide actionable insights to maximise sustainability efforts.
⇒ Reduce environmental impact, alongside saving time and resources.
Benefits of Calculating your Product Carbon Footprint
Although only a subsection within your total carbon footprint, PCFs are a productive way to set specific targets towards a more sustainable future.
PCFs can:
- Help companies switch to more sustainable products.
- Identify ways for companies to reduce water, energy, and raw materials. This leads to more sustainable resource management.
- Improve reputation and stakeholder engagement. Investors are more likely to be attracted to businesses striving for environmental change.
- Mitigate costs by cutting down on unsustainable products.
Summary
Overall, understanding and calculating your product carbon footprint can significantly help businesses reach their sustainability goals and create a healthier, greener planet.
Tracking your product emissions and implementing steps to reach your goals is one of the first steps you can take to help reduce your impact on climate change.
Enistic’s mission is to get the UK’s leading organisations to Net Zero before 2030. We’re here to:
- Support you in making a positive difference to people and the planet.
- Assist your company in becoming more sustainable by reducing your emissions and engaging stakeholders.
- Provide 100% guaranteed compliance with environmental standards.
If you are interested in what Enistic can offer you, please don’t hesitate to book a call with us – we are happy to help you reach your sustainability goals.
Thank you for reading!