Carbon footprint · Product
Product carbon footprint and LCA
Estimate a product's carbon footprint across its life cycle — from raw materials to end of life — with an approach inspired by LCA methodology. A first figure to see where the impact is concentrated, before you invest in a full analysis.
The stages covered by the Product estimate
What it measures across the life cycle
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) looks at a product “from cradle to grave”: raw materials and components, the energy used in production, packaging and transport, right through to end of life — disposal or recycling. The calculator estimates these stages in simplified form to give you a reliable order of magnitude.
The impact is often not where you'd expect: for many products, raw materials or distribution weigh more than manufacturing. Seeing the breakdown is already a concrete lever for ecodesign.
How it works
Answer a few questions on materials, quantities, production and distribution; where you don't have a technical figure you can enter approximate values. The calculator uses emission factors from recognised databases — Ecoinvent, the IPCC, ISPRA — and returns an estimate in CO2 equivalent per unit of product, as a min–max range.
What it's for
Demand for environmental labels, EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) and green procurement criteria grows every year. Knowing a product's footprint helps you answer customers, steer redesign and communicate honestly — with numbers, not adjectives.
From estimate to full LCA
This is an indicative estimate, not a certified LCA. A compliant LCA (ISO 14040/14044) or a product carbon footprint to ISO 14067, usable for an EPD, requires primary data and an expert review: that's the work we take on in the PRO programme and in consultancy. Starting from the free estimate means you come to that table already prepared.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between this estimate and a certified LCA?
The estimate uses average emission factors and simplified data to give you an order of magnitude quickly. A certified LCA (ISO 14040/14044) and an ISO 14067 product carbon footprint are based on primary data, defined system boundaries and independent review — all required for an EPD. The calculator is the first step towards that process, not a substitute for it.
Which life cycle stages does it cover?
Raw materials and components, production and energy, packaging and transport, end of life. It's a simplified “cradle-to-grave” approach.
Can I use it for a label or an environmental declaration?
As internal guidance, yes; for an EPD or an official declaration you need a full LCA with primary data, which we handle through consultancy.
Calculate these too
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Get your estimate in a few minutes, with a PDF report by email. Need an expert-reviewed Scope 1, 2 and 3 analysis? Move up to the PRO Calculator.
The calculator's estimates are indicative and based on average sector emission factors from public sources (ISPRA, IPCC, Ecoinvent). They are not a substitute for an emissions inventory certified to ISO standards.