What is a product carbon footprint?

A product carbon footprint (PCF), also known as a CO2 footprint, is essentially a life cycle assessment that focuses on a single impact indicator: greenhouse gas emissions. The process is similar to that of a complete life cycle assessment, and the scope of documentation is also similar.

What is calculated in a product carbon footprint?

All greenhouse gases emitted or absorbed during the product life cycle are included in the assessment. These include emissions from energy supply (e.g., from burning coal or gas), direct emissions from production (e.g., CO2 emissions from cement production), and exhaust gases from logistics processes. However, CO2 sinks, such as those created by the growth of biomass, are also included in the balance sheet. All greenhouse gases are converted into so-called CO2 equivalents, so that at the end of the balance sheet there is a single figure.

Why is a product carbon footprint worthwhile for my company?

The threat posed by climate change has accelerated social and political pressure to decarbonize. Many companies are dependent on reducing the carbon footprint of their products in order to remain competitive in the future. At the same time, regulations are being introduced, for example by the EU, which require at least the disclosure of a carbon footprint in order for products to be offered on the EU internal market. In some cases, there are also industry-specific approaches in which the PCF plays a role, such as the CATENA-X format introduced in the automotive industry. Here, the carbon footprint is to be passed on from supplier to supplier along the entire supply chain according to the “one up, one down” principle, so that the total carbon footprint for a vehicle is available at the end. Similar goals are also being pursued with the digital product passport, which is planned as part of the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

PCF according to ISO 14067 or according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol?

There are currently two standards that can be used to create a PCF. ISO 14067 – Greenhouse gases – Carbon footprint of products – Requirements and guidelines for quantification builds on the well-known ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and focuses on the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Among other things, the standard specifies requirements for calculation, data basis, structure and scope of the balance sheet, and presentation of results. ISO 14067 is therefore particularly suitable for third-party verification and communication to customers.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is a standard created by the World Resource Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) for calculating carbon footprints at the product or organizational level. The goal is to establish a low-carbon economy. An essential component of a PCF according to the GHG Protocol is the identification of reduction potentials. The GHG Protocol provides specific guidance on how emissions can be reduced in the future.

One key difference between the two standards is how they deal with biogenic carbon. This term refers to the absorption of CO2 from the air by biomass (i.e., plants), which is recognized as a carbon sink in the greenhouse gas balance. In a PCF according to the GHG Protocol, this absorbed carbon is deducted from the overall balance and is therefore “hidden” in the overall result. In a PCF according to ISO 14067, on the other hand, biogenic carbon must be reported separately.

In addition, the GHG Protocol always considers the entire life cycle (i.e., cradle-to-grave), while ISO 14067 also allows the calculation of partial carbon footprints, e.g., cradle-to-gate.