Product-based climate protection strategies: understanding, applying and using the product carbon footprint

In order to achieve ambitious climate policy goals we must make substantial changes in product development and our consumption patterns. To understand the climate impacts of products, companies need reliable information on the greenhouse gas emissions arising over the entire life cycle of their different products. This information is essential to effectively minimise climate impacts of the manufacture, use and disposal of products. In addition, more and more consumers wish to be informed of the climate impacts of products and services.

The product carbon footprint (PCF) provides such information:

"The product carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced throughout the entire life cycle of a product in a defined application and in relation to a defined unit.”

In recent years a number of initiatives have been launched to calculate the CO2 balance of products in order to describe their specific CO2 footprint or product carbon footprint; unfortunately they apply very different calculation methods. To date, there is no uniform and generally accepted methodology for calculating and presenting the product carbon footprint. An internationally binding ISO standard (ISO 14067) for product carbon footprints and an internationally harmonised guideline with the quality of a standard (Greenhouse Gas Product Protocol) are being elaborated, but final results cannot be expected before 2012. The Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Environment Agency had commissioned the Institute for Applied Ecology in Freiburg to develop proposals for a reliable methodology. The results were recorded in a Memorandum on the product carbon footprint which was published at the end of 2009. The Memorandum contains three principles that should be taken into account when establishing and communicating the climate balance of products. They should be seen as recommendations and give users the reassurance of having chosen an accepted methodology. The Memorandum also supports the international process for standardising the product carbon footprint.

One important finding is that while the product carbon footprint is a useful tool for manufacturers, it is not yet suitable for informing consumers.

The Federal Environment Ministry also considers it generally useful for all relevant environmental aspects such as land consumption, pollutant contents and emissions to be included in the life cycle analysis , as long as the results are communicated to the consumers accordingly.

The Memorandum recommends using the proven and well-known Blue Angel eco-label for communication. The Blue Angel has for some time had a new category for particularly climate-friendly products and services, comprising around 40 product groups. By the end of 2012, the 100 most climate-friendly products and services can be awarded a Blue Angel (Project "Top 100").

On the basis of the Memorandum, the BMU, Federal Environment Agency and the Federation of German Industries (BDI) have issued joint guidelines to serve as a reliable tool for companies wishing to calculate and use the product carbon footprint of their products. This facilitates and enhances the practical approach to analysis and communication of the product carbon footprint.