The benefit of calculating your product carbon footprint – Advice from our expert

Every product has a hidden story and a hidden carbon cost. From raw material extraction to end-of-life, your product’s footprint can reveal opportunities to cut emissions, save costs, and innovate faster. That’s where product carbon footprints (PCFs) come in.

To unpack why they matter and how to get started, we sat down with our in-house sustainability expert, Lucie Vareon, who shares practical advice on turning PCFs into a tool for smarter decisions, stronger strategies, and credible climate action.

Why should businesses care about product carbon footprints now?

Product carbon footprints (PCFs) are quickly becoming the new standard for understanding and managing climate impact. While total greenhouse gas emissions offer a big-picture view, PCFs zoom in on the actual products that companies make and sell — and that’s where real opportunities for emissions reductions lie.

For most companies, Scope 3 emissions dominate their footprint, often making up 75–90% of total emissions. A big share comes from purchased goods and services, which can account for 20–50% of Scope 3 emissions, especially in product-heavy industries.

Customers, investors, and regulators increasingly want to know the carbon impact of individual products. This data is already influencing buying decisions, procurement processes, and brand reputation. Businesses that can’t provide it risk falling behind competitors who can.

In short: product-level carbon data is no longer optional. It’s becoming essential for backing up environmental claims, driving innovation, and staying ahead of fast-changing sustainability expectations.

Do companies need perfect data from the start, or is it okay to begin with estimates?

It’s absolutely okay to start with estimates. If businesses wait for perfect data, they’ll lose valuable time. Many companies we’ve worked with begin by using industry averages or sector databases. That gives them a first view of where the major hotspots are and helps them decide where to focus their efforts. These initial estimates can later be replaced with measured data for greater accuracy in assessing the product carbon footprint. 

The key is to be transparent. As long as you are clear about what’s estimated and what’s based on primary data, the results are still very useful. A deep dive into product life cycle accounting can provide more robust results by ensuring that greenhouse gas emissions are tracked and reported across the entire product life cycle, distinguishing between different data quality levels.

I always encourage companies to treat their product carbon footprint as a living model. It should evolve as the data gets better, but you can still use it from day one to make smarter choices. Based on carbon footprinting results and hotspot analysis, companies can implement targeted measures to reduce emissions and improve sustainability. 

What role do suppliers play in accurate PCF measurement, and how can companies engage them effectively?

Suppliers play a huge role. For most products, the majority of emissions come from upstream activities, whether that is raw materials, components or energy-intensive manufacturing, all of which contribute to the overall carbon footprint. Without suppliers sharing their data, you only ever see part of the picture.

Engaging suppliers well means making it practical and collaborative. Clear requests, digital tools and feedback on how their input will be used can make a big difference. 

Supplier engagement also supports the development of more accurate product carbon footprints by ensuring comprehensive data collection across all lifecycle stages. If suppliers see that the data they provide helps both sides make progress, they’re more likely to engage consistently.

The companies that do this best treat suppliers as partners, not just data providers. They share goals, provide support, and even collaborate on reducing emissions together. That not only improves data quality, it strengthens the whole supply chain.

How can PCFs help companies future-proof against evolving regulations like CSRD?

Even though CSRD currently focuses more on corporate-level reporting, over the next few years, there will be growing demand for more detailed, product-level information. Companies that already have systems in place will be in a much better position when those requirements come in.

By starting now, you can avoid the scramble later. You will already have the right data flows, governance and processes built into your business. Defining the scope of your reporting, whether for your corporate carbon footprint or for product-level assessments, is essential for accurate and comprehensive compliance. That means compliance is less of a burden and more of an opportunity to show leadership.

And beyond reporting, calculating low emission products can support regulatory compliance and provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

If a sustainability leader only remembers one thing about PCFs, what should it be?

I would say this: product carbon footprints are not just about reporting, they are about making better decisions. Understanding a product’s carbon emissions, including direct emissions from operations and embodied carbon throughout the supply chain, enables actionable change at every stage of the production process, from raw materials to packaging.