Climate & Environment
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Definition
A product carbon footprint quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions — expressed as CO₂ equivalent — associated with a product across defined life cycle stages: raw material extraction, production, distribution, use and end of life. It is calculated using life cycle assessment methods under standards such as ISO 14067, the GHG Protocol Product Standard and, in the EU, the Product Environmental Footprint method's climate category.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
PCFs feed carbon labels, supplier engagement programmes, product comparisons and regulatory schemes (battery carbon footprint rules under the EU Batteries Regulation being a leading mandatory example).
Why it matters
Product-level carbon data moves climate accountability from corporate totals to what is actually bought and sold — the level at which design and purchasing decisions are made.