Product Carbon Footprint (CFP): Measuring the Environmental Impact of Products
The Product Carbon Footprint (CFP) represents the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle—from raw material extraction to production, use, and end-of-life. This comprehensive measure is expressed in CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e), providing a clear picture of a product’s environmental impact.
How does CFP work?
The calculation of a CFP involves several key steps:
1. Defining the purpose
The first step is to identify the aim of the CFP calculation. This may include understanding the general footprint of a product, comparing alternatives, or identifying carbon hotspots in the supply chain.
2. Setting the system boundaries
It is crucial to determine whether the CFP will cover the entire product life cycle (“cradle-to-grave”) or only up to the point where it leaves the factory (“cradle-to-gate”). This choice defines which emissions are included in the analysis.
3. Data collection
Accurate CFP assessment depends on collecting information about the production process and related emissions. Data can be primary (directly measured or known by the company) or secondary (such as average emission factors or modeled information).
4. Emission calculation
Emissions are calculated by multiplying activity data with appropriate emission factors for each stage within the system boundaries. The results form the basis for identifying strategies to reduce emissions and improve sustainability.
Why CFP matters
CFP plays an important role in emission reporting, identifying carbon hotspots across a product’s life cycle, and developing decarbonization strategies. It helps manufacturers and retailers make informed decisions aligned with global climate goals and provides a pathway for emission reductions in areas with the greatest impact.
By following standardized methodologies such as ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, companies can ensure that their CFP assessments are robust, comparable, and useful for driving environmental improvements.
ETI’s CFP case study
In March 2023, ETI carried out a partial CFP study for the manufacturing phase of a medium-/high-voltage fuse-link produced by ETI Elektroelement d.o.o..
The studied fuse-link, named VVC3 has a rated voltage of 24 kV and a rated current of 63 A. It is packed in a primary package and is designed to protect equipment in switchgear and other applications (such as transformers, capacitors, and motors) against thermal and dynamic effects of short circuits and overcurrents.
The VVC3 fuse-link complies with the IEC 60282-1:2020 international standard and was manufactured for ENEL, an Italian electricity distribution company. Since ENEL has its own internal procedure for carbon footprint calculation, ETI was required to provide the CFP of the fuse-link in accordance with ENEL’s specifications.
Moving forward
As markets and regulators demand greater transparency, understanding and accurately calculating the CFP of products is becoming increasingly important. For ETI, this not only ensures compliance with customer requirements but also supports broader sustainability goals and the transition toward a net-zero economy.
