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Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

Supplier Toolkit
Home | How we do it | Scope 3 GHG emissions programme | Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

At TfS, we understand that taking your first steps in PCF calculation can be challenging.

That's why we developed this toolkit.

It’s designed to provide all the resources you need, all in one place. Dive in and get learning – together we will make a difference. Should you have any queries, please get in touch.

The PCF Journey

Eager to understand what’s involved?
Explore the interactive infographic.

GO TO PCF JOURNEY

TfS PCF Guideline

The TfS PCF guideline provides specific calculation instructions for “cradle-to-gate” PCFs for chemical manufacturers. It harmonizes PCF calculation approaches across the industry and is applicable to the vast majority of chemical products.

The TfS PCF Guideline is available in several languages.

GO TO PCF GUIDELINE


Even if you are not a chemical manufacturer, there are compelling reasons to use the TfS PCF Guideline:

member companies
utilizing the guideline

Specific to the
chemical industry

Aligned with international
standards like ISO 14067

Leverages the credibility of
the chemical industry’s leading
sustainability initiative and
chemical industry point for
WBCSD Pathfinder initiative

Endorsed by

organizations along
the value chain

Available in

5 different
languages

What are the benefits of calculating and sharing your PCF data?

The major benefits of calculating PCF in line with the TfS Guideline include:


Better understand
the GHG emissions
associated with your
products – so you can
improve sustainability
performance and
reporting and reach
your emissions-reduction
targets.


Improve efficiency,
streamline resources
in PCF calculations and
reduce the amount of
time you spend
using generic guidelines
thanks to the specific
and harmonized
calculation approach
across the industry.


Report your PCFs to
the level of specificity
many customers are
requesting – so you
can increase customer
satisfaction and
generate new sales.


Help standardize and
harmonize calculations
of PCF specific to the
chemical industry, as
the “gold standard”
or industry guidance.

The benefits of sharing PCF on the TfS Data Exchange Platform include:


Easy to share with
your business partners


Aligned with WBCSD
PACT Guidelines


Control with whom
you share PCF data


Reduce workload of
entering PCF data into
different systems

Are you interested in accessing the TfS Data Exchange Platform?

Contact us

For Suppliers: How to Calculate PCF

The TfS PCF Guideline serves as a global standard and guideline for calculating Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) in the chemical industry.

Its primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of PCF information among supply chain members, enabling companies to track their Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and support reduction efforts. It emphasises the importance of a well-described basis for modelling, linked to recognised guidelines, to prevent discrepancies resulting from different assessment approaches.

TfS offers courses designed primarily for LCA experts and those who lead on calculating PCFs in a company. Those responsible may be sustainability or environmental leads or may be in operations.

Upon completion of the course, you should be able to:
• Calculate PCFs according to the TfS PCF Guideline
• Understand where to find further information or get help if needed

go to tfs academy

FAQ on PCF Guideline

The PCF FAQ provides frequent questions and answers related to PCF.

TfS provides further resources in the TfS Academy and TfS website. We encouraging you to explore these materials and learn more about calculating PCF!

download pdf

Who does the PCF Guideline apply to?

The TfS PCF Guideline applies to chemical manufacturers.

However, the guideline can be helpful for others in the value chain, both upstream and downstream. The graphic below provides an illustrative chemical value chain with notes on the relevance and application of the TfS PCF Guideline to each value chain segment. We encourage you to explore this as a tool in understanding the value chain.

Energy & Feedstock
Conversion and refining
Basic chemicals
Specialty chemicals
Distribution and logistics
Consumer goods and industrial products
Retail and end market products

Decarbonization Journey for suppliers: Overview of Recommended Training Material

TfS have developed training materials to support you, whatever your current knowledge of PCF.

Learning Plan Target Audience Details
Introduction to Climate Change
    Corporate sustainability teams
    Sustainable procurement teams
    Procurement and sales teams
What are Scope 1 & 2 Emissions?
    Scope 1 & 2 and decarbonisation leads (e.g. in operations, sustainability, HSE)
    Procurement and sales team members
What are Scope 3 Emissions?
    Scope 3 and decarbonisation leads
    Operations, procurement, & sustainability team members
How to set Climate Targets
    Decision-makers on a company’s climate targets
    Target setting leads (e.g. in sustainability, procurement, operations)
Mastering Emissions Reductions
    Decarbonisation leads in operations, procurement, or innovation
The TfS PCF Guideline and How to Calculate PCFs
    Corporate sustainability teams
    Procurement and sales teams
    PCF leads, LCA experts or environmental leads
    Responsible for PCF calculations, (e.g. in operations)
The TfS PCF Data Sharing Solution
    PCF leads, LCA experts or environmental leads
    Responsible for PCF calculations, (e.g. in operations)

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