How do you conduct a carbon footprint analysis for your designs?

1 Why carbon footprint matters

Carbon footprint is a key indicator of how your design affects the climate change problem. The more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases your design emits, the more it contributes to global warming and its negative consequences. By calculating your carbon footprint, you can identify the main sources of emissions in your design, and compare them with alternative options or industry benchmarks. This can help you make informed decisions about how to reduce your emissions, and communicate your sustainability efforts to your stakeholders.

2 How to define your scope

Before you start your carbon footprint analysis, you need to define the scope of your assessment. This means deciding what stages of your design's life cycle you want to include, and what boundaries you want to set for your system. For example, do you want to consider only the direct emissions from your own activities, or also the indirect emissions from your suppliers, customers, or end-users? Do you want to include the upstream and downstream impacts of your materials, energy, transportation, or waste? Depending on your goals and resources, you can choose between different levels of scope, such as cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, or cradle-to-cradle.

3 How to collect your data

Once you have defined your scope, you need to collect the data that will allow you to estimate your emissions. This can be done by using primary or secondary sources. Primary sources are the data that you collect directly from your own operations, such as energy consumption, fuel use, or waste generation. Secondary sources are the data that you obtain from external databases, reports, or literature, such as emission factors, conversion factors, or life cycle inventory data. You should use primary sources whenever possible, as they are more accurate and specific to your context. However, if you cannot access primary sources, you can use secondary sources as proxies or estimates.

4 How to calculate your emissions

After you have collected your data, you need to calculate your emissions by applying the appropriate emission factors and conversion factors. Emission factors are the coefficients that indicate how much greenhouse gas is emitted per unit of activity, such as kilograms of CO2 per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Conversion factors are the coefficients that allow you to convert different units of measurement, such as megajoules to kilowatt-hours. You can find emission factors and conversion factors in various sources, such as national or international databases, standards, or guidelines. You should use the most recent and relevant factors for your region and sector.

5 How to interpret your results

Once you have calculated your emissions, you need to interpret your results by analyzing and comparing them. You can use different methods and tools to do that, such as graphs, charts, tables, or indicators. You can also use software or online platforms that can help you perform your analysis and generate reports. Some of the questions that you can ask yourself are: What are the main contributors to your emissions? How do your emissions vary across different stages, processes, or products? How do your emissions compare with your targets, competitors, or best practices? How can you reduce your emissions by changing your design, materials, or processes?

6 How to communicate your findings

The final step of your carbon footprint analysis is to communicate your findings to your audience, such as your clients, customers, partners, or investors. You can use different formats and channels to do that, such as reports, labels, certificates, or websites. You should use clear and consistent language and visuals, and provide the relevant information and context for your audience. You should also disclose the assumptions, limitations, and uncertainties of your analysis, and provide references and sources for your data and methods. By communicating your findings, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability, and inspire others to join your efforts.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?