Insights into common inputs and the level of completeness of product carbon footprints conducted in industry: an online survey

Globally, the last nine years were the hottest on record, and the greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration as a driver of temperature rise steadily increases. For both the analysis of emissions and redesigning products and processes, the product carbon footprint (PCF) has established itself as a valuable tool. However, research to date has not specifically investigated the composition of life cycle inventories (LCIs). For this purpose, the first survey on used standards, scopes, and system boundaries of PCF studies was conducted in industry to determine common practices. Data from over 130 respondents across five continents indicates that ISO 140xx and the GHG Protocol are by far the most frequently used methodologies, and that both are equally prevalent. Additionally, our survey reveals that typically raw materials and energy consumption are included in LCIs while capital goods, tooling, and administration are often neglected.