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Carbon Footprints A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organisation, event or product. A carbon footprint considers all six of the Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases. The related terms are carbon neutral and carbon offset. A company becomes carbon neutral when its net greenhouse gas emissions become zero. To become carbon neutral, company must calculate its emissions, reduce these emissions as much as possible, and purchase carbon credits equivalent to the remaining emissions which is called carbon offset. This process results in its balance emissions being offset and leads to net zero emissions or being carbon neutral. Measuring the carbon footprint of products across their full lifecycle has following benefits: · Identify cost savings opportunities · Plan GHG emissions reductions · Determine what level of emissions they need to offset to become carbon neutral · Demonstrate environmental/corporate responsibility leadership · Fulfil request from business or investors · Meet customer demands for information on product carbon footprints · Differentiate and meet demands from ‘green’ consumers (for improving marketing). · Incorporate emissions impact into decision making on choosing suppliers, materials, product design, manufacturing processes, etc. · Help meet national INDC targets |