This topic describes how to use the product carbon footprint module of Energy Expert for online carbon footprint modeling and calculations.
Energy Expert provides the product carbon footprint module that you can use to create a model online, calculate the carbon footprint of a product in its lifecycle, and generate a carbon footprint report. This module is designed based on ISO 14067:2018 Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification.
Perform the following steps to use the product carbon footprint module:
Create a product. The carbon footprint is calculated based on a product of a specific type or with specific specifications. Emission boundaries and factors for emission calculation such as the unit and year are determined based on the cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave lifecycle of the product.
Create a model for the product lifecycle. In the model, you need to configure the indispensable sections of the product lifecycle, including production procedures, outputs, inputs, industrial wastes, packaging, logistics, usage, and recycling. The inputs include raw materials, energy, resources, and renewable raw materials. The industrial wastes include exhaust gas, wastewater, and solid waste.
Configure the energy consumption and outputs in each section of the product lifecycle based on the year and product quantity. For example, you can configure the weight of input raw materials in KG and the amount of consumed electricity in kWh, and determine the emission factors of the upstream sections. If you cannot determine the emission factors, you can use the emission factors that apply to the same section of the product lifecycle in a database. The product carbon footprint module is equipped with mainstream carbon footprint databases, including Chinese Life Cycle Database (CLCD), China Products Carbon Footprint Factors Database (CPCD), Ecoinvent Database, and European Life Cycle Database. This helps you obtain the data of upstream carbon emissions.
After you create the model, you can initiate online calculation and obtain a carbon footprint report generated by Energy Expert. The carbon footprint report contains basic information about your product, total carbon emissions, carbon emission reduction (if any), and carbon emissions generated in each production procedure and the proportions. The report also contains the carbon emission types and their proportions. You can generate an HTML5 page in the product carbon footprint module to share the carbon footprint of the product with others.
If you need a carbon footprint certificate for your product, you can initiate an application for online certification. Energy Expert provides Product Category Rules (PCRs) and links to authorized certification agencies to help you complete carbon footprint certification for your product.