Publication date: October 2008
Information in this report was correct at the time of publication.

Publication date: 29/10/2008

Since 2006 the Carbon Trust has worked with companies to measure, reduce and communicate carbon emissions across the supply chain, as part of our broader efforts to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy.

When we began there was no consistent, practical method for measuring the carbon footprint of products (goods or services), yet it is essential information for companies to identify the true drivers of emissions and reduction opportunities and to inform customers of the carbon content of their products.

This publication summarises the experience from over 20 leading companies that have tested the product carbon footprinting method (PAS 2050), contributed to the development of the Code of Good Practice on Emissions and Reduction Claims and the subset of companies that have decided to communicate their product footprints to customers. Working with these companies we have learned important lessons about the impact product carbon footprinting and labelling can have on businesses' commercial and environmental goals, and how relevant, applicable and practical the approach can be.

Also linked to this publication are a range of case studies illustrating companies' experience in more detail - why they wanted to measure product carbon emissions, how they went about it, what they achieved and their plans for the future. We hope other businesses will build on this experience and leverage the PAS 2050 and related tools to capture the business opportunities associated with this approach.

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