Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Services at Prelude Analytics
At Prelude Analytics, we specialize in Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) analysis to help businesses understand, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with their products. Our PCF studies provide clear, credible insights that support climate strategies, product development, and regulatory compliance.
What is Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)?
PCF measures the total greenhouse gas emissions generated over the life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and end of life. Results are expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e), accounting for gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases according to their global warming potential.
PCF studies can cover different scopes depending on your needs:
- Cradle-to-grave: Covers all life cycle stages from raw material extraction to end-of-life.
- Cradle-to-gate: Focuses on emissions from raw material extraction to the point the product leaves the manufacturing site, excluding use and end-of-life phases.
Why Product Carbon Footprint matters
Understanding the carbon footprint of your products is key to effective climate action and business resilience. Key benefits include:
- Identify emission hotspots across materials, processes, and supply chains
- Improve operational efficiency by addressing energy, logistics, and material inefficiencies
- Enhance credibility with transparent, science-based reporting, reducing the risk of greenwashing
- Gain competitive advantage through lower-carbon product offerings
- Ensure readiness for regulatory and customer requirements, such as EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) obligations
How PCF analysis works at Prelude Analytics
- Data collection: We prioritize primary data from your operations and suppliers, supplemented by high-quality secondary data where needed.
- Life Cycle Assessment methodology: Calculations are grounded in internationally recognized LCA standards to ensure credibility and consistency.
- Hotspot identification & reduction insights: We pinpoint key emission sources and provide actionable reduction recommendations.
- Scenario analysis: Evaluate alternative materials, suppliers, or process configurations for informed decision-making.
- Reporting & communication: Receive transparent, auditable documentation suitable for internal use, customer communication, and regulatory reporting.
Benefits of measuring your Product Carbon Footprint
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact
- Identify cost-saving and resource efficiency opportunities
- Support better decisions on product design, sourcing, and supplier engagement
- Demonstrate sustainability leadership to customers, partners, and investors
- Build a credible foundation for net-zero strategies and climate targets
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PCF different from a corporate carbon footprint?
A PCF focuses on emissions from a specific product, while a corporate carbon footprint accounts for emissions from an entire organization.
Which standards do you follow?
Our analyses align with ISO 14067, the GHG Protocol Product Standard, and relevant industry guidelines such as Together for Sustainability (TfS) for the chemical sector.
How accurate are the results?
We emphasize primary data, transparent assumptions, and clear documentation to deliver reliable, auditable results, while clearly communicating data quality and limitations.
Ready to understand and reduce your product’s carbon footprint?
Contact Prelude Analytics to start your Product Carbon Footprint analysis and take the next step toward measurable, credible climate action.