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Carbon Footprint

Carbon Choice Product Carbon Footprint

The Carbon Choice Product Carbon Footprint Calculator uses the UK Government Conversion Factors for greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting where appropriate and follows a methodology in accordance with internationally recognised standard such as PAS2050, GHG Product Standard and ISO14067 to estimate the life cycle assessment (cradle to grave) carbon footprint of products that are manufactured in the UK, sold online and delivered to UK consumers. This measures the total greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to the product’s manufacture, distribution, use and eventual disposal. The UK Government conversion factors are suitable for use by UK-based organisations of all sizes and international organisations reporting on UK operations.

The calculator is intended primarily to estimate product carbon footprints and act as a tool to compare and understand the carbon footprint of different products. The carbon footprints of the products displayed on site have been estimated using the Carbon Choice Product Carbon Footprint Calculator in collaboration with the sellers for which data is shared between the sellers and Carbon Choice to estimate the values. To see a more detailed breakdown of the carbon footprint of the products on Carbon Choice, please go into the product descriptions. The carbon footprints seen on Carbon Choice are given in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent CO2e which is used as the benchmark for greenhouse gases. The total carbon footprint is rounded according to an appropriate uncertainty of 20g, 50g or 100g.

What are the different types of emissions?

Scope 1 (direct emissions) emissions are those from activities owned or controlled by your organisation. Examples of Scope 1 emissions include emissions from combustion in owned or controlled boilers, furnaces and vehicles; and emissions from chemical production in owned or controlled process equipment.

Scope 2 (energy indirect) emissions are those released into the atmosphere that are associated with your consumption of purchased electricity, heat, steam and cooling. These indirect emissions are a consequence of your organisation’s energy use, but occur at sources you do not own or control.

Scope 3 (other indirect) emissions are a consequence of your actions that occur at sources you do not own or control and are not classed as Scope 2 emissions. Examples of Scope 3 emissions are business travel by means not owned or controlled by your organisation, waste disposal, materials or fuels your organisation purchases. Deciding if emissions from a vehicle, office or factory that you use are Scope 1 or Scope 3 may depend on how you define your operational boundaries. Scope 3 emissions can be from activities that are upstream or downstream of your organisation. More information on Scope 3 and other aspects of reporting can be found in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard.

How do I calculate my GHG emissions for a particular activity?

GHG emissions = activity data x emission conversion factor

If you are interesting in finding our more, companies like Clever Carbon can help you work out your carbon footprint:

For Comparison?

Sheet of toilet roll - 1.8g CO2e

Plastic Bag - 50g CO2e

Banana - 80g CO2e

Apple - 80g CO2e

Plastic Bottle - 83g CO2e

Cup of coffee - 552g CO2e

Average paper back - 2710g CO2e

Smart Phone - 69,000g CO2e per year

Typically, a tree absorbs 21,000g of carbon dioxide per year

If you would like to find out more, Mike Berners-Lee has published some great books calculating the carbon footprints of basically everything.