Carbon Footprint: Concept, Methodology and Calculation
9
The work on data brought to the development of initiative like the Life Cycle
Data Network and the European reference Life Cycle Database (ELCD) to make
data available to the users. With the Life Cycle Data Network (LCDN), launched
on February 2014, different data providers can share their data. This network, with
its defined requirements, will ensure data availability and quality and assure interoperability and coherence as well as a convenient basis for comparison of available
data [69]. Life cycle inventory datasets from different independently operated LCA
databases (nodes) are provided thought an interface where the user can access and
find them. Datasets are made available by the Global LCA Data Access (GLAD)
network. To participate at GLAD, single nodes have to fulfill a set of requirements
like for example a common format and a defined flows nomenclature [57].
The PEF method requires the modelling of product waste by the “Circular Footprint Formula” (CFF), which is a combination of “material + energy + disposal” and
includes the production burdens, the burdens and benefits from secondary materials
input and output, the energy recovery and disposal. The CF methods do not provide
guidance on how to approach multi-functionality at End of Life, with the exception of
the PAS 2050 which provide different formulas to be applied in specific contexts and
does not consider energy recovery, thus do not account for potential energy credits
[47].
PEFCR for a specific product category are developed by Technical Secretariats
consisting of technical experts such as companies and industry association (representing over 51% of the total European market for each product category), nongovernmental organizations, research centres and universities. The Technical Secretariats are supported by a Steering Committee with representatives from member
countries and the European Commission as well as by a Technical Advisory Board
for providing technical support to specific methodological issues. On the contrary,
Product Rule of GHG protocol and Supplementary Requirements for PAS 2050 are
developed similarly to PCR of ISO 14025 standard, i.e. they are based on an open
and participatory process developed by companies and organizations in cooperation
with other interested parties, institutions involving LCA experts in cooperation with
companies or single companies and organizations.
The CF standards allows companies and organizations to obtain an environmental
label for the certification of the GHG emissions of their products, but this possibility
is currently not available for the PEF, which does not have a real environmental label
recognized and certified by a third party.
A further difference is the characterization factors for Global Warming impact
category, in particular the global warming potential of fossil methane: according to
the PEFCR Guidance, its value is 36,75 CO 2 eq., adjusted from IPCC 2013 using the
stochiometric balance. IPCC 2013 uses instead a characterization factor for methane
equal to 34 CO 2 eq.
The application of the PEF method can be quite difficult and time-consuming,
especially regarding the calculation of data quality requirements and data quality
rating and the use of Circular Footprint Formula for the End-of-Life stage. Therefore,
the application of this method seems not so quick and straightforward as it was
expected to be, if the goal is to involve many companies in Europe, especially SMEs.
9
The work on data brought to the development of initiative like the Life Cycle
Data Network and the European reference Life Cycle Database (ELCD) to make
data available to the users. With the Life Cycle Data Network (LCDN), launched
on February 2014, different data providers can share their data. This network, with
its defined requirements, will ensure data availability and quality and assure interoperability and coherence as well as a convenient basis for comparison of available
data [69]. Life cycle inventory datasets from different independently operated LCA
databases (nodes) are provided thought an interface where the user can access and
find them. Datasets are made available by the Global LCA Data Access (GLAD)
network. To participate at GLAD, single nodes have to fulfill a set of requirements
like for example a common format and a defined flows nomenclature [57].
The PEF method requires the modelling of product waste by the “Circular Footprint Formula” (CFF), which is a combination of “material + energy + disposal” and
includes the production burdens, the burdens and benefits from secondary materials
input and output, the energy recovery and disposal. The CF methods do not provide
guidance on how to approach multi-functionality at End of Life, with the exception of
the PAS 2050 which provide different formulas to be applied in specific contexts and
does not consider energy recovery, thus do not account for potential energy credits
[47].
PEFCR for a specific product category are developed by Technical Secretariats
consisting of technical experts such as companies and industry association (representing over 51% of the total European market for each product category), nongovernmental organizations, research centres and universities. The Technical Secretariats are supported by a Steering Committee with representatives from member
countries and the European Commission as well as by a Technical Advisory Board
for providing technical support to specific methodological issues. On the contrary,
Product Rule of GHG protocol and Supplementary Requirements for PAS 2050 are
developed similarly to PCR of ISO 14025 standard, i.e. they are based on an open
and participatory process developed by companies and organizations in cooperation
with other interested parties, institutions involving LCA experts in cooperation with
companies or single companies and organizations.
The CF standards allows companies and organizations to obtain an environmental
label for the certification of the GHG emissions of their products, but this possibility
is currently not available for the PEF, which does not have a real environmental label
recognized and certified by a third party.
A further difference is the characterization factors for Global Warming impact
category, in particular the global warming potential of fossil methane: according to
the PEFCR Guidance, its value is 36,75 CO 2 eq., adjusted from IPCC 2013 using the
stochiometric balance. IPCC 2013 uses instead a characterization factor for methane
equal to 34 CO 2 eq.
The application of the PEF method can be quite difficult and time-consuming,
especially regarding the calculation of data quality requirements and data quality
rating and the use of Circular Footprint Formula for the End-of-Life stage. Therefore,
the application of this method seems not so quick and straightforward as it was
expected to be, if the goal is to involve many companies in Europe, especially SMEs.