Our product carbon footprint label is a clear identifier of products that have had their carbon footprints certified by the Carbon Trust. This is a validation of accurate footprints, providing customers with verified information about the carbon impacts of their purchasing decisions. Our label has appeared on thousands of products across the globe, positioning it as the leading label for product carbon footprinting.
The Carbon Trust is an independent organisation and an established expert on carbon footprinting. We ensure that our product carbon footprint label is underpinned by robust and credible analysis undertaken by our footprinting experts.
What is a product carbon footprint?
A life cycle product carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product, from extraction of raw-materials, to end-of-life. It is measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).
Product footprints should be associated with a scope or boundary, the most common being:
- Cradle-to-gate: mostly used for business-to-business (B2B) products. This measures the total greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to product manufacture up to the factory gate.
- Cradle-to-grave: mostly used for business-to-consumer (B2C) products. This measures the total greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to the product’s manufacture, distribution, use and eventual disposal.
How does the Carbon Trust certify a product footprint?
We follow our Product Carbon Footprint Protocol which provides clear guidance on the certification of a product’s carbon footprint. This consists of:
- A carbon life cycle assessment (LCA) of the product in accordance with internationally recognised standards (PAS 2050, the GHG Product Standard and ISO 14067).
- Additional specific rules to certify the footprint according to the type of label - see below.