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PCF - Product Carbon Footprint

Independent Carbon Footprint Accounting

Climate change is considered to be one of the most important global environmental challenges of this century. It is a vital interest of companies to know and communicate the carbon footprints of their activities and their products and services. That is why more and more companies assess the carbon footprint of products and services (PCF). The British Standard PAS 2050 is the first product carbon footprint standard available worldwide. WBCSD/WRI, CEN and ISO are working on international standards of carbon footprints of products and of Scope 3 assessment of greenhouse gas emissions of companies.

ESU-services Ltd. has long experience in investigating the carbon footprint (or global warming potential) as one part of a detailed life cycle assessment. We performed and are performing several analyses of carbon footprints of individual persons, companies, products and the overall Swiss consumption patterns. With our work we support the development, refinement and update of CO2-calculators. Some of our studies have been published in several media. Furthermore we actively participate in the different standardisation initiatives mentioned above.

Working with us you get unbiased, transparent, fair and comprehensive carbon footprint analyses according to PAS 2050 or any other relevant (draft) standard. Our carbon footprint services include hints to other relevant environmental impacts (such as water use) along your supply chains.

We are not involved in CO2 emission trading nor in carbon offset projects. This ensures an independent, true and fair assessment of your CO2 emissions.

Contact us to learn more about carbon footprint and its benefits for your company.

Working examples

CO2-Reduktion im Alltag: Der Klimaschutz-Lifestyle. Manche Leute erfüllen bereits heute die klimapolitischen Ziele der Schweiz für das Jahr 2020 – zum Teil, ohne sich dessen bewusst zu sein. Gehören Sie auch dazu? Artikel im Magazin UMWELT 3/2008 Klimawandel basierend auf einer Studie von ESU-services im Auftrag des BAFU.
Jungbluth N., Can a carbon footprint give a good picture on environmental impacts? Swiss Discussion Forum LCA Lausanne 19. 3. 2009 (download)
Jungbluth N., Steiner R. and Frischknecht R. B. (2006) Graue Treibhausgas-Emissionen der Schweiz: 1990 bis 2004. ESU-services, Uster, im Auftrag des Bundesamtes für Umwelt  (BAFU), Bern, CH.

Water Footprint

Measuring environmental impacts by "footprinting" is not restricted to global warming potential alone. Another issue of concern is the use, consumption and pollution of water. Therefore so called "water footprints" can be calculated. Here we provide an overview of the recent developments.