What is a Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP)?

A Carbon Footprint (CFP) quantifies the total direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a product during its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction and transportation, manufacturing, distribution, to usage and disposal. The CFP is typically reported in kg CO2 equivalents, which allows that different GHGs (such e.g. as methane) are considered on a common basis. CFP is based on the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

The importance of CFPs

Companies can benefit from Carbon Footprint of Products in various ways. A CFP can be used for sustainability reports, e.g. within the Scope 3 emission calculations within the GHG protocol or is part of voluntary climate protection programmes, and is mandatory to participate in emissions trading.

Having a Carbon Footprint of your product enables the identification of cost-effective CO2 reduction opportunities, and the management of your GHG emissions. Next to that, based on the calculated values of a carbon footprint, compensation projects can be supported through the purchase of so-called CO2 certificates. In this way, a contribution can be made to both a company’s and international or regional climate goals.

How is a CFP created?

CFPs are created by our experts in accordance with international standard ISO 14067, which connected to the international standards on Life Cycle Assessments (ISO 14040/14044). Once you have chosen us as your partner in sustainability, we will plan a kick-off meeting where our experts define the technical and organizational framework together with you. Product selection, life cycle stages and system boundaries are determined during this meeting. Afterwards, the data collection phase begins. All relevant data (as indicated by our experts) should be collected by you and be send to our experts. With this data, they can conduct the LCA, and create the EPD. During the second stage, our experts will calculate your products’ emissions by doing the LCA. The results of the LCA are given as the Carbon Footprint, meaning in kg CO2 equivalent. With these results, your CFP will be created.