Calculate product emissions for compliance and competitive edge

A Product Emissions Footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emitted during a product’s lifecycle. This includes emissions from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. It is important for many reasons: accurate emissions tracking and reporting, compliance, cost reductions, operational efficiencies, etc.

Regulations like the EU Batteries Regulation and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are designed to encourage the production and use of sustainable products by creating a regulatory framework that integrates environmental concerns into the market. They mean that companies will have to measure their product footprint and, in the case of the Batteries Regulation, share it on the product somewhere and pay a cost of carbon in the case of the CBAM. Regulations like these will also change how companies design their products and innovate.

Measuring the product’s carbon footprint is important for several reasons. First, companies identify significant sources of emissions in their supply chain and take action to reduce them. This leads to cost savings, improved efficiency, and a more sustainable business model.

Second, companies comply with regulations and standards related to GHG emissions. For example, the European Union’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) initiative requires companies to provide information on the environmental impact of their products.

Finally, build reputation and brand image with consumers who are increasingly looking for environmentally responsible products and companies that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

There are several standards and regulations related to product carbon footprint. The most well-known is probably the ISO 14067 standard, which provides guidelines for measuring the carbon footprint of products. Other standards include PAS 2050, which focuses on the carbon footprint of goods and services, and the GHG Protocol Product Standard, which provides a framework for measuring and reporting GHG emissions.

There are several measures and reduction strategies that companies can use to reduce their product carbon footprint. These include:

• Using renewable energy sources in production and transportation.
• Improving energy efficiency in the manufacturing process.
• Reducing waste and improving recycling and reuse.
• Streamlining the supply chain to reduce transportation emissions.
• Encouraging sustainable consumer behavior, such as reducing packaging waste and using products for their intended lifespan.

A product carbon footprint report is a compilation of the results of the carbon footprint calculation. It presents the compilation clearly and concisely. There will be information about the product’s raw materials, manufacturing process, transportation, end-of-life processing, and the carbon footprint calculation and analysis.

The report can be used internally to identify areas where emissions can be reduced, or externally to communicate the product’s environmental impact to customers and stakeholders.

Tracking product footprints allows companies to identify areas for improvement and manage regulatory risks, aligning with ESG targets through enhanced sustainability reporting and operational efficiency. This process aids in meeting investor and consumer expectations for environmental responsibility and can provide a competitive market advantage.

Good.Lab is a popular product carbon footprint software available for companies of all sizes and in every industry.

The exact steps to using a product carbon footprint calculator will vary but generally the various softwares use similar information.

• Collect data: raw materials, manufacturing process, transportation, and end-of-life processing
• Input: enter the data into the calculator software
• Calculate: the software calculates emissions 
• Analyze: identify areas where emissions can be reduced
• Strategize: develop strategies to reduce emissions and improve sustainability performance

A product carbon footprint database is a collection of data on the carbon footprint of various products. The database can be used as a reference when calculating the carbon footprint of a new product or comparing the carbon footprint of different products.

Some product carbon footprint calculators include a database of carbon footprint data, while others may require companies to input their own data. Publicly available databases include the European Commission’s Environmental Footprint Database and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Life Cycle Inventory Database.

Product emission testing involves measuring the emissions of a product under controlled conditions. This can help companies identify the sources of emissions and develop strategies to reduce them.

Product emission testing can be expensive and time-consuming and is usually only done for high-emission products or products with a high environmental impact. However, it can provide valuable information for companies that want to improve their sustainability performance.