Climate change is the biggest challenge we face. As businesses strive to reduce their environmental impacts, understanding and measuring the carbon footprint of products has become a crucial part of sustainability efforts.
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) quantifies the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle, helping companies identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions on carbon emissions reduction as part of their climate change efforts.
With increasing need for consumer transparency and evolving disclosure requirements, there is a growing demand for accurately calculating and reporting PCFs. This guide will walk through key concepts, methodologies on how to calculate product carbon footprints, as well as real-world examples of how businesses are using PCF calculations to drive meaningful change.
Understanding Corporate Carbon Footprints (CCFs) and Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs)
What is a Corporate Carbon Footprint vs. a Product Carbon Footprint?
A corporate carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a business or organization's activities, divided across three distinct scopes: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and 3 (other indirect value chain emissions).
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), on the other hand, measures effectively the same emissions but at a much more narrow scale and vantage point – those associated with a specific product throughout its lifecycle, from raw material extraction, to processing and assembly, to distribution, product use, and finally to end of life disposal. PCFs help businesses assess the climate impacts of their products, specific materials and suppliers, enabling them to identify specific opportunities for carbon emission reduction.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for a Product’s Carbon Footprint
Life cycle assessment (LCA), sometimes also called life cycle analysis, is a methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, typically considering a range of environmental impacts. A product carbon footprint is a distinct, narrow-focus form of LCA. Regardless of the impact area focus, the following lifecycle stages are typically relevant and included:
- Raw material extraction (sourcing of materials and ingredients)
- Raw material processing (conversion of raw materials into useful components)
- Assembly (manufacturing various components into a finished product)
- Transportation and distribution (transportation from the factory gate to the end consumer across various transportation and storage legs)
- Product use phase (energy consumption or washing and drying emissions, as applicable)
- End-of-life disposal (landfilling, recycling or repurposing).
Measuring and Reporting on Product Carbon Footprints
PCF Calculation Methodologies
There are several carbon-specific methodologies for calculating PCFs, including:
- GHG Protocol Product Standard: A longstanding method for calculating carbon emissions at the product level
- PAS 2050: The leading British standard for assessing life cycle carbon emissions of products
- ISO 14067: An international standard for quantifying carbon footprints for products
Additionally, a range of more general lifecycle assessment approaches enable calculation of carbon emissions alongside other emissions impacts, such as ISO 14040/44 and the EU’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology.
GHG Protocol and Carbon Footprint Measurement
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is a widely recognized framework for measuring and managing carbon emissions at both corporate and product levels:
- Standardized approach to quantifying emissions, ensuring consistency and credibility in carbon footprint calculations, measurements and reduction
- GHG Protocol Product Standard can be applied for businesses looking to assess product-level emissions
- Aligns reporting with industry best practices
- Supports transparency and comparability, helping brands integrate emissions data into sustainability strategies effectively
Communication and Disclosure
Transparency and evidence are critical for businesses looking to communicate about their sustainability efforts. Product carbon footprints calculated following a robust life cycle assessment approach are now frequently viewed as an essential prerequisite before environmental improvements should be communicated to consumers. PCFs can also be audited by third parties in advance, enabling an even stronger foundation for public disclosures to a range of stakeholders, whether in corporate reports or product-level claims.
How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of a Product
The steps below provide a (very) general overview of how to calculate product carbon footprints using a life cycle assessment approach.
Step 1: Define the System Boundary
Establish whether the assessment will cover cradle-to-gate (from raw material extraction to the factory gate) or cradle-to-grave (from raw material extraction to final end-of-life treatment). This ensures clarity from the outset on the scope of the study and what emissions-generating activities will be included.
Step 2: Identify Emissions Sources and Collect Data
After defining the general scope, an inventory of all significant emissions-generating activities must be defined within each lifecycle stage. Primary data must then be gathered to the extent feasible for these activities, in particular for sources that are owned or controlled by the company. Reliable secondary data (e.g., emission factors) must also be gathered to enable calculation of emissions. Key activities and data may include.
- Energy consumption
- Material composition
- Transportation distances and methods
- Waste generation and treatment methods
Step 3: Convert Activity Data to GHG (e.g. CO₂e) Emissions
Once key activity data are obtained, secondary emission conversion factors can be used to translate that data into carbon emission estimates. Direct emissions data from the supply chain, though often difficult to obtain, is ideal. However, this data requires allocation based on the products produced in a given facility or transported on a particular vessel.
Step 4: Analyze and Report Findings
Compile emissions results into a product footprint report, which includes detailed disclosures of assumptions, data sources and methodological choices applied. These studies can then be used to compare emissions performance over time and to assess impact hotspots within the product’s lifecycle.
Understanding how to calculate product carbon footprints is a critical tool for any brand aiming to measure and reduce its climate impacts. By following a structured LCA approach — defining system boundaries, collecting accurate data, converting it using recognized emission factors, and analysing the results — businesses can take actionable steps toward carbon impact reduction. This process lays the foundation for credible reporting and meaningful carbon reduction strategies.
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Examples of how to report a product's carbon footprint in a transparent way
When it comes to product carbon footprinting and getting PCF calculations out into the world, transparency is vital. Brands that clearly communicate the climate impacts of their products – positive or negative – build trust with consumers and help set a tone of accountability across their industries.
Below are examples of how Vaayu’s partners are disclosing product carbon footprints in ways that are transparent, science-based and easy to understand for a range of stakeholders.
On
On partnered with Vaayu to critically review its Prospective Life Cycle Assessment on its new LightSpray™ technology and the shoes it creates, comparing its impact to traditional manufacturing methods. The analysis was verified, revealing that LightSpray™ reduces emissions by approximately 75%, supporting On’s commitment to sustainable material innovation and lower-impact production of its shoes, helping consumers make more informed decisions.
Digital Product Passports
Europe’s incoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will require digital product passports (DPPs). Vaayu supports brands like Missoma and Triumph in integrating customer-facing product information into Digital Product Passports (DPPs). The passports provide consumers with instant access to elements like a product’s materials, manufacturing information and locations, as well as certifications. With DPPs comes even more potential: they hold a unique opportunity to include and present consumers with environmental footprint data and end-of-life guidance, going beyond compliance to build trust, power transparency and help shoppers make more conscious choices at the point of purchase.
> More on Digital Product Passports
LESTRANGE
Vaayu collaborated with LESTRANGE to develop Re_Count, the world’s first automated, science-based life cycle calculator providing live life cycle assessment data and insights to consumers. This interactive tool enables users to assess the environmental impact of their clothing choices, offering actionable recommendations that can reduce carbon emissions per wear by up to 50%. By integrating product-specific LCA data and user-specific inputs, Re_Count empowers individuals to make more informed, sustainable decisions in their fashion consumption.
Ace & Tate
In 2022, Vaayu partnered with Ace & Tate to enhance the understanding of the environmental impact of their eyewear products. Building upon their collaboration for the 2021 Responsibility Report, Vaayu conducted a comprehensive analysis of Ace & Tate's supply chain, focusing on Scope 3 emissions. This analysis expanded beyond carbon emissions to include other environmental factors such as water consumption and energy use. The insights gained have empowered Ace & Tate to understand their product impact and be more transparent with customers while setting science-based targets and implementing strategies to reduce their environmental footprint.
These examples from Vaayu’s brand partners show how transparent, science-based reporting can empower both businesses and consumers to make lower-impact choices. These collaborations demonstrate how detailed scientific product assessments, even prospective calculations, can be translated into clear, accessible carbon data that serves the needs of a range of stakeholders.
At Vaayu, we’re proud to support many retail brands and businesses with their product carbon footprinting, analysis and disclosure needs. You can take a look through some of the industry’s latest impact reports below.
> Check our sustainability Reports
Calculating a product's carbon footprint with a life cycle assessment approach is an essential step for businesses looking to understand and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions — a key aspect of combating climate change.
By following standardized methodologies and transparent reporting practices, companies can make informed decisions that meaningfully contribute to their sustainability goals.
If your company is on a mission to do its part in decelerating climate change, explore how Vaayu can support your PCF measurement and reduction efforts by getting in touch with our team today.
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