1. Raw Materials

The carbon footprint of raw materials depends on the type and amount of material used. To calculate this:

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Quantity of material}\times \text{Emission factor per unit of material}$$

Steps:

• Quantity of Material: Measure the total mass (kg or tons) of each raw material used.
• Emission Factor: Obtain emission factors from reliable databases. For example:
  • Aluminum: ~8.24 kg CO₂e per kg of aluminum.
  • Plastic (Polyethylene): ~2.5 kg CO₂e per kg.
  • Steel: ~2.0 kg CO₂e per kg.
  • Timber: ~0.45 kg CO₂e per kg.

Example:

If you use 100 kg of aluminum, the emissions would be:

100 kg×8.24 kg CO₂ekg=824 kg CO₂e100 \, \text{kg} \times 8.24 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{kg}} = 824 \, \text{kg CO₂e}100kg×8.24kgkg CO₂e​=824kg CO₂e

2. Manufacturing Phase

This phase includes emissions from electricity, fuel (gas), and water consumption during the manufacturing process.

a. Electricity Consumption

Electricity emissions depend on:

1. Amount of electricity (kWh) consumed.
2. Emission factor of electricity (which varies based on the electricity source and region).

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Electricity consumed (kWh)}\times \text{Emission factor (kg CO₂e per kWh)}$$

Example:

If 1000 kWh of electricity is consumed in a region where the emission factor is 0.233 kg CO₂e per kWh (EU average):

1000 kWh×0.233 kg CO₂ekWh=233 kg CO₂e1000 \, \text{kWh} \times 0.233 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{kWh}} = 233 \, \text{kg CO₂e}1000kWh×0.233kWhkg CO₂e​=233kg CO₂e

You can adjust the emission factor based on the region or electricity source:

• EU Average: 0.233 kg CO₂e/kWh.
• US Average: 0.401 kg CO₂e/kWh.
• Renewable Energy: 0 kg CO₂e/kWh.

b. Gas Consumption (Natural Gas)

This is calculated based on the volume of gas used (in cubic meters) and the emission factor for natural gas.

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Gas consumed (m³)}\times \text{Emission factor (kg CO₂e per m³)}$$

Example:

If 500 m³ of natural gas is consumed and the emission factor is 2.04 kg CO₂e per m³:

500 m³×2.04 kg CO₂em³=1020 kg CO₂e500 \, \text{m³} \times 2.04 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{m³}} = 1020 \, \text{kg CO₂e}500m³×2.04m³kg CO₂e​=1020kg CO₂e

c. Water Consumption

Water consumption has a relatively low emission factor, but it still contributes to the overall carbon footprint. The emission factor is usually based on energy use in pumping and treating water.

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Water consumed (liters)}\times \text{Emission factor (kg CO₂e per liter)}$$

Example:

For 10,000 liters of water consumed and an emission factor of 0.0003 kg CO₂e per liter:

10,000 liters×0.0003 kg CO₂eliter=3 kg CO₂e10,000 \, \text{liters} \times 0.0003 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{liter}} = 3 \, \text{kg CO₂e}10,000liters×0.0003literkg CO₂e​=3kg CO₂e

3. Packaging

Packaging is another critical component in manufacturing. The emissions depend on the type and quantity of the packaging materials used, such as plastic, cardboard, or glass.

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Quantity of packaging}\times \text{Emission factor of packaging material}$$

Example:

If you use 50 kg of cardboard for packaging, and the emission factor for cardboard is 0.8 kg CO₂e per kg:

50 kg×0.8 kg CO₂ekg=40 kg CO₂e50 \, \text{kg} \times 0.8 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{kg}} = 40 \, \text{kg CO₂e}50kg×0.8kgkg CO₂e​=40kg CO₂e

4. Transportation Phase

This phase involves the transportation of raw materials to the factory or the finished product to customers. Emissions depend on the distance traveled, the mode of transport, and the emission factor for that transport mode.

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Distance traveled (km)}\times \text{Transport mode emission factor (kg CO₂e per km)}$$

Example:

If goods are transported 500 km by truck, with a truck emission factor of 0.25 kg CO₂e per km:

500 km×0.25 kg CO₂ekm=125 kg CO₂e500 \, \text{km} \times 0.25 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{km}} = 125 \, \text{kg CO₂e}500km×0.25kmkg CO₂e​=125kg CO₂e

5. End-of-Life/Disposal

This phase includes emissions from product disposal (e.g., landfill, recycling, or incineration).

Formula:

$$\text{Emissions (kg CO₂e)}=\text{Product weight (kg)}\times \text{Disposal method emission factor (kg CO₂e per kg)}$$

Example:

For 100 kg of waste disposed of in a landfill, with an emission factor of 1.2 kg CO₂e per kg:

100 kg×1.2 kg CO₂ekg=120 kg CO₂e100 \, \text{kg} \times 1.2 \, \frac{\text{kg CO₂e}}{\text{kg}} = 120 \, \text{kg CO₂e}100kg×1.2kgkg CO₂e​=120kg CO₂e