What is a Product Carbon Footprint?

A product carbon footprint provides insight into the environmental impact of a good by quantifying emissions at every stage of its lifecycle. It includes direct emissions from production, indirect emissions from energy use, and upstream or downstream emissions such as transportation and end-of-life recycling or disposal. Calculating a PCF supports sustainable decision-making, enabling companies to identify hotspots for emissions reduction, compare products, and communicate environmental performance. PCFs are often calculated in alignment with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to ensure consistency and credibility.