Carbon Handprint
The carbon handprint provides valuable insights into the positive climate change impacts of products, services, or systems throughout their life cycles. The results of the carbon handprint can be utilized in various ways, such as product development, sustainable design, and communication and marketing. Etteplan's carbon handprint services include comprehensive calculations and broader assessments for products, services, and production facilities and systems. Our experienced and professional team of experts provides carbon handprint calculations in a customer-oriented, high-quality, and reliable manner.
What is a carbon handprint
The carbon handprint describes the positive climate impacts of a product's use. A carbon handprint is generated if a product reduces the user's carbon footprint, for instance, by saving energy or lasting longer than traditional or currently used products.
In carbon handprint calculations, we investigate the positive climate change impacts of the proposed solution throughout its life cycle by analyzing how much the user's climate change impact decreases when using the proposed solution. We compare the emissions of the proposed solution, such as a product or service, with that of a corresponding average or current solution (the so-called baseline solution). Carbon handprint calculations involve assessing both the carbon footprint and the handprint of the solution under consideration. All products have a carbon footprint, but not necessarily a carbon handprint. The carbon handprint can be influenced, for example, by improving energy efficiency, reducing material usage, or extending product lifetimes.
High-quality and reliable carbon handprint calculations for various purposes
At Etteplan, we deliver high-quality carbon handprint calculation for various essential purposes:
- Internal purposes: We provide lighter carbon handprint calculations (known as screening-level assessments) which are particularly beneficial for internal R&D projects, procurement decisions for evaluating alternative materials and components, and in comparing products and technologies in the pilot or design phase.
- Funding Applications: In carbon handprint calculations for funding applications we investigate the emissions reduction potential of the proposed solution. Simultaneously, we examine whether the application criteria should expand to include carbon handprint and carbon footprint calculations for other environmental impacts.
- Public Stakeholder Communication: We produce assessments suitable for public stakeholder communication, providing credible, reliable, and verified information about the carbon handprint. We also offer assistance in improving the transparency and reliability of communication.
We have served carbon handprint calculations for clients from industries such as plastics, chemicals, recycling, and construction. We provide information and support our clients in areas such as product manufacturing, adoption of innovative technologies and the selection of new innovative materials, to enhance the carbon handprint of products, production technologies, and systems.
Carbon handprint calculation stages:
Project definition
We discuss the content and scope of the study together, considering the project's objectives and intended use.
Project initiation
In the kick-off meeting, we agree on project parameters, timelines, and operating methods.
Data collection
We prepare data collection forms for you to fill out and collect information from other supply chain actors as needed. We guide and advise you in appropriate and sufficiently precise data collection.
Calculation, modeling, and reporting
We use commercial life cycle assessment software and high-quality databases for calculations and modeling.
Internal quality assurance
Quality assurance of results, models, and reports, including benchmarking results.
Presentation of results and next steps
We present results transparently and comprehensively, providing recommendations for maximizing the carbon handprint.
Maximize your positive impacts with Etteplan
Our experts have several years of experience in carbon handprint calculations, and we closely monitor the development of the industry and calculation methods. We adhere to a well-established framework honed over decades for successfully completing projects. We offer numerical results along with valuable information to support your decision-making and build more sustainable solutions. We assist you through all phases of the project, enabling smooth and flexible collaboration while minimizing resource needs.
We calculate carbon handprint based on international standards: life cycle assessment standards (ISO 14040 and 14044) and the product carbon footprint calculation standard (ISO 14067). We utilize the carbon handprint method developed by VTT and LUT University. This method can also be applied to the calculation of other environmental impacts, such as water handprints. We always guide our clients to an appropriate level, avoiding unnecessary work while maintaining quality and sufficient precision in our calculations.
We always work in a customer-centric manner, focusing on what matters and sticking to the facts. We openly discuss results, calculations, and methods, providing insights based on the results to identify conclusions and areas for improvement to maximize your carbon handprint.
Explore our other LCA services!
We also offer product carbon footprint calculation and Life Cycle Assessment. Read more from the links!
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