What is a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)?

A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) measures the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its lifecycle, expressed in kilograms of CO₂-equivalent (kg CO₂e). The scope of a PCF depends on the system boundaries of the assessment. 

• A cradle-to-gate PCF, also known as a partial PCF, accounts for emissions from raw material extraction through processing and manufacturing, up until the product leaves the factory.
• A cradle-to-grave PCF provides a more comprehensive view, including the same early stages but extending further to cover product distribution, usage, and disposal (End-of-Life).

Life Cycle Stages Figure

Why do PCFs Matter?

PCFs have become increasingly common as businesses work to enhance transparency in sustainability and achieve their sustainability goals. They can support various efforts, such as:

• Comply with Regulations: Helping businesses meet government regulations related to emissions and environmental impact.
• Fulfill Customer Requests: Providing customers with clear transparency about the environmental footprint of their products.
• Differentiate Brand Image: Strengthening a company’s brand by highlighting its commitment to sustainability.
• Meet Shareholder Expectations: Demonstrating a proactive sustainability approach, which can increase shareholder confidence and align with investor priorities.
• Add to Scope Accounting: Supporting the management of Scope 3 emissions and integrating emissions data into a company’s broader sustainability strategy.

PCF Standards Explained

When calculating a PCF, it is important to decide which standard and methodology to follow from the beginning of the project. Some common standards include: 

• PACT’s Pathfinder Framework (2023)
• ISO 14067 (2018)
• GHG Protocol’s Product Standard (2011)
• PAS 2050 (2008)

These standards all share foundational principles from ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, which define Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies. However, key differences in scope, flexibility, and data requirements make it challenging to follow every standard simultaneously. Some standards (e.g., PAS 2050, PACT) enforce stricter methodologies, while others (e.g., ISO 14067) allow more flexibility. Choosing the right standard at the beginning of the assessment is essential to ensure consistent calculations, comparability, and compliance with regulatory or market expectations.

Calculating a PCF

Now that the standard and methodology have been chosen, the next step is to begin the actual process of calculating the product’s carbon footprint. While specific terminology may vary across different standards, the following steps are common to all approaches and provide a consistent framework for calculating a PCF.

1. Define the Scope and System Boundaries
   • Clearly define the goal of the PCF—what question are you trying to answer?
   • Determine whether a cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave approach best suits your needs.
   • Identify system boundaries, including included/excluded processes.
2. Collect Data for Each Life Cycle Stage
   • Identify where primary data (direct measurements from production) and secondary data (industry averages, databases) are applicable.
   • Ensure data covers all relevant life cycle stages, from raw material extraction to disposal (if applicable).
   • Address any data gaps or inconsistencies to improve accuracy.
3. Apply Emission Factors and Perform Calculations
   • Convert activity data (e.g., kg of raw material used, kWh of electricity consumed) into carbon emissions (kg CO₂e) using standardized emission factors.
   • Use a consistent methodology aligned with the chosen standard.
4. Validate, Report, and Communicate Findings
   • Ensure compliance with the selected PCF standard (e.g., ISO 14067, GHG Protocol).
   • Conduct third-party verification if required for credibility.
   • Share findings transparently with stakeholders, customers, or regulatory bodies

Challenges in PCFs

PCFs provide valuable insights into a product’s environmental impact, but accurately calculating and reporting them presents several challenges.

• Different Standards and Methodologies – Various standards have different scopes, data requirements, and levels of flexibility. These differences can make it difficult for businesses to choose the right standard and may also hinder comparability across different frameworks.
• Data Availability and Accuracy – Collecting primary data from multiple suppliers or facilities can be challenging, and secondary data may not always be available for certain products, limiting alternative data collection methods.
• Changing Technology and Data Over Time – As technology and data sources continue to improve and alter methodologies, previously calculated PCFs may become outdated, requiring recalculations that can be resource-intensive.
• Consumer Perception and Greenwashing Concerns – PCF claims must be backed by accurate and verifiable data to avoid misleading consumers and prevent accusations of greenwashing.
• Costs of Calculation – Generating PCFs often requires external consultants, specialized software, and third-party verification, resulting in high upfront costs that may be a barrier for some companies.

PCFs with the EcoImpact Sustainability Platform

As businesses continue to focus on sustainability and transparency, Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) play a crucial role in calculating and presenting environmental impacts. While calculating a PCF offers significant benefits—such as meeting regulatory compliance requirements, enhancing brand image, and assisting with Scope 3 emissions management—it also presents several challenges. Varying standards, evolving methodologies, and limited data availability can make it difficult for companies to achieve accurate, consistent results.

Trayak’s EcoImpact Sustainability Platform is expanding to include PCF calculation in the near future. It will help companies navigate PCFs in an efficient and cost-effective manner. With an out-of-the-box Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) for packaging, EcoImpact-COMPASS streamlines the PCF calculation process and ensures compliance with standard data requirements. Additionally, Trayak’s internal consultants can certify PCFs to be ISO 14067-compliant while reducing the time and costs typically associated with the review process. For more information on EcoImpact-PCF, read more on our PCF Product Page. For any questions on how we can support your business in achieving its sustainability goals, please contact us.