Product’s Carbon Footprint: Methodology and Calculation
Every product we manufacture or purchase has a carbon footprint – the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to production, transportation, usage, and disposal.
Our company helps you accurately quantify and reduce the carbon footprint of your product according to the most widely used global standards
What is a Product’s Carbon Footprint?
A product’s carbon footprint represents the total amount of CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions generated during its production, distribution, use, and disposal. This indicator is measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e).
The resulting emissions of a product can be expressed using the following methods:
- Cradle-to-Gate: Covers greenhouse gas emissions from raw material extraction to the point when the product leaves the manufacturing facility. It does not include distribution, use, or disposal.
- Cradle-to-Grave: Includes total emissions from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and disposal, providing a complete view of a product’s carbon footprint over its entire life cycle.
Why Measuring and Managing a Product’s Carbon Footprint is Important:
Increase Efficiency
Enhance material and energy efficiency.
Meeting Supply Chain Requirements
Comply with environmental standards set by business partners or customers to support product sales.
Cost Reduction
Identify opportunities to lower costs through material reuse and more efficient processes.
Additional Benefits of Measuring and Reducing a Product’s Carbon Footprint:
- Lowering the environmental impact of your company and products while complying with environmental standards (e.g., ISO 14067).
- Gaining a competitive advantage and attracting environmentally conscious customers. Currently, 65% of consumers prefer sustainable brands and products.
- Enhancing brand image and value. 52% of the largest Czech companies have already committed to reducing emissions.
- Meeting requirements for public reporting, climate alliance membership, and sustainable goal setting.
- Easier access to financing, as banks and investors increasingly require environmental impact measurement for funding and guarantees.
Stages of Carbon Footprint Calculation:
Raw Materials and Production
What emissions are generated during the extraction, transportation, and processing of raw materials?
Transport and Distribution
What emissions are released during the transportation of the product to customers?
Product Use
How much energy does the product consume during its lifespan?
Product End of Life and Disposal
What emissions result from recycling or disposing of the product?
Product Carbon Footprint Calculation Methodologies:
Several internationally recognized methodologies exist for calculating a product’s carbon footprint:
✅ GHG Protocol – Standard for greenhouse gas emissions calculation.
✅ ISO 14067 – International standard for product carbon footprints.
✅ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Method for evaluating a product’s life cycle.
📌 For precise calculations, it is essential to obtain primary emission factors or select appropriate reference emission factors from recognized sources.
Our Approach to Carbon Footprint Calculation:
We provide a simple way to assess the emissions associated with your products. In the first phase, we define the calculation boundaries and set up a data collection methodology. You then provide key product data (materials, transportation, energy consumption), based on which we calculate the carbon footprint and prepare a final report. The report can be provided in Czech or English.
If desired, we can also provide recommendations and scenarios for reducing the product’s carbon footprint.
How to Reduce a Product’s Carbon Footprint:
We can advise you on how to minimize your product’s climate impact through measures such as:
🌱 Using eco-friendly materials – recyclable or lower CO₂-emission materials.
🚛 Optimizing logistics – choosing low-emission transportation (e.g., rail, electric vehicles).
🔋 Improving energy efficiency – designing products with lower energy consumption.
♻️ Promoting recycling – designing products for easy recycling.
Carbon Footprint of Common Products:
- 1 Big Mac Cheesburger = 4 kg CO₂e
- 1 iPhone 13 128 GB = 64 kg CO₂e
- 1 km driven by car = approx. 0.2 kg CO₂e
- 1 cotton T-shirt = approx. 10 kg CO₂e
If you need more information about product carbon footprint calculation or assistance with calculating your product’s carbon footprint, feel free to contact us!