CO₂ balancing for individual products? Sounds time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be. With the right PCF software, this supposedly laborious task becomes a manageable project. We will show you how to determine the ecological footprint of your products independently and, above all, quickly - with PCF software that we tailor specifically to your processes. Not a one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf solution.
The product carbon footprint
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is like a profile for your product - except that it's not about size and weight, but about CO₂ emissions. From the extraction of raw materials to production and disposal: The PCF records all greenhouse gases generated during the entire product life cycle. Sounds like a lot of work? It is - if you don't have the right tools.
Wait a minute, CCF, PCF what was the difference again? It's simple: the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) looks at individual products - from pizza funghi to office chairs. The Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), on the other hand, takes a close look at the entire company. Imagine that: The PCF is like the calorie count on the packaging, whereas the CCF is like your entire annual balance sheet on the scales. Both key figures are important, but for different purposes.
It is not yet mandatory - but that is changing rapidly. The EU is getting serious about the Green Deal, and suddenly everyone is talking about CSRD, taxonomy and ESG. Sounds complicated? We understand. So here is a clear summary:
ISO 14067 - The rules and regulations The international standard for product carbon footprints is already valid and applies to everyone who wants to calculate PCF. For you, this means that your software should work according to this "set of rules" for correct PCF calculation.
CSRD - The chain reaction The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is an EU directive on sustainability reporting. From 2024, first large companies (over 250 employees) and then SMEs will gradually have to report. For you, this means that large customers will demand PCF data from you.
EU taxonomy - the green passport This classification of sustainable economic activities is already active and affects companies that want to be considered "green". Without PCF data, there is no green classification.
ESG criteria - the investor check Environmental, social and governance - these criteria for assessing corporate activities are already relevant for anyone who needs to convince investors or banks. PCF is an important building block for the "Environmental" criterion.
GHG Protocol - the basis The global standard for greenhouse gas accounting is already the standard for internationally active companies and forms the basis for most other standards.
PAS 2050 - The UK standard Important for UK businesses and international supply chains since 2011. This UK standard for product carbon footprints is particularly relevant for UK markets.
Where does a product begin and where does it end? The system boundaries define the framework: Cradle-to-gate covers all emissions from raw material extraction to the factory gate, while cradle-to-grave also includes use and disposal. The calculation itself follows a simple principle: consumption quantities (material, energy, transportation) are multiplied by specific emission factors. The more precise the data, the more precise the result - with supplier-specific values instead of average factors, results can be up to 7 times more precise.
Your customers want to know. So do your business partners. And to be honest: you should know all the more. The PCF makes climate impacts visible, helps to optimize production processes and is increasingly becoming mandatory. But please don't panic. After all, you have just found your way to us and are on the right track.
"Every industry is different. So is our PCF software. We get to know your products, processes and special features. Then we adapt the software exactly to them. No superfluous functions, just exactly what you need."
Franziska Döring | Managing Director | natureOffice GmbH
What our PCF software can do
Let's be clear: you have to. We can do it. CO₂ accounting is becoming increasingly important - at least since the CSRD triggered a chain reaction. Large companies need your data, even if you are not yet required to report. With our PCF software, you can provide this data unsolicited, simply and accurately.
Data in, results out
Every industry ticks differently. And so does our PCF software. Before you get started, we take the time to really get to know you. Your products, your processes, your very special characteristics. Then we tailor the software exactly to you. No annoying functions that you never need anyway. No important features that are missing. Just exactly what works for you. Data acquisition? Runs according to your rules. Whether manual input, Excel import or API connection - the software speaks your language and gets the data where it is. Click on "Calculate" once and the software does the rest. It automatically converts all your activity data into emission values. In accordance with the GHG Protocol, of course.
Reports at the touch of a button
One click. One key factsheet. A detailed but compact overview of everything that is important. Available at the touch of a button whenever you need it. No more hours of clicking together data from different systems. The software provides you with the results in the format you need for your reports, presentations or customer meetings. Cleanly formatted, clearly structured and with all relevant key figures.
Compensation and marketing included
After the calculation, the process continues seamlessly. You can offset emissions with verified climate protection projects worldwide directly from the software or use our special PROJECT TOGO. And then? You also get the complete marketing package. The natureOffice label, QR codes for your products. Everything ready to use. The integrated certificate generator creates individual certificates for each product or collective certificates for your customers. Perfect for their sustainability reports. This turns your CO₂ balance sheet into more than just proof, but a real marketing tool.
Who is our PCF software for?
Producers
From the food industry to mechanical engineering: if you manufacture something, you can also balance it.
Service provider
Services also have a footprint. Our PCF software makes it visible.
Retailer
Do you want to know what you are selling? The Product Carbon Footprint Software gives you clarity.
All those who want to know exactly
Regardless of whether it is a legal obligation or a voluntary commitment: those who know their PCF can make better decisions.
Your advantages
Save time, spare your nerves What used to take days can now be done in hours. No more Excel acrobatics, no more formula frustration. The PCF software makes it possible.
Reduce costs through precision Supplier-specific data instead of average values can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 85%. Fewer emissions = lower offsetting costs.
Legally compliant for the future While others are still puzzling over which standards apply, you are already ready. The software knows all the regulations and applies them automatically.
Inspire customers Provide your customers with exactly the data they need for their CSRD reports. Unsolicited, precise, professional. This makes you a favorite supplier.
Secure a competitive advantage Show that you mean business with the natureOffice label and transparent CO₂ values. While others are still talking, you have already acted.
How easy it is to calculate the PCF
Sure, we could now claim that you can simply get started. But let's be honest: before you can get started with our software, we have to do our job first.
1
We get to know you
In a workshop, we take a look at your processes - whether production or service. Our job: to ask you the right questions. Yours: to have the answers. Then we customize our PCF software to your company. After a short briefing (really short, we promise!), you can get started.
2
Log in
Open the browser, log in, done. That's all there is to it.
3
Enter and calculate values
The software guides you through all the relevant areas. You type in your figures, click on "Calculate" - and you have your product carbon footprint. It can be that quick.
4
Download key factsheet
With just one click, you can create a clear key factsheet with all the important CO₂ data. Perfect for your documentation or for passing on to customers.
5
Optional equalization
If you wish, you can offset the calculated emissions directly. After successful offsetting, you will receive the natureOffice label, which confirms both the calculation and the offsetting. This shows you in black and white: this is not just talk, but action.
The product carbon footprint is the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by a product during its entire life cycle. From the cradle to the grave, so to speak - or more scientifically: from cradle to grave. All phases are taken into account: Raw material extraction, production, transportation, use and disposal.
PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) = One product, all emissions. CCF (Corporate Carbon Footprint) = One company, all emissions. The PCF is like zooming in on a single product, while the CCF looks at the big picture. The two complement each other perfectly.
Have to? Nobody yet - officially. Should? Actually, everyone who manufactures or sells products. Because your customers are asking for it, business partners are demanding it, and the EU regulations are coming faster than you can say "climate neutrality". Better to start now than run after it later.
Imagine you had to do your tax return with paper and a calculator. It works in theory, but it's no fun. Good product carbon footprint software automates complex calculations, avoids errors and saves time. A lot of time. Which you can use for more important things.
We make it easy for you. Our PCF software is intuitive to use, complies with all relevant standards and delivers reliable results. Plus: real support from real people, regular updates and the experience gained from hundreds of successful projects. In short: we know what we're doing - and you benefit from it.
