Beyond the Factory Gate
Expanding the boundary of a carbon footprint calculation from "Cradle-to-Gate" to "Cradle-to-Grave" requires accurately capturing the product's active life phase.
Durability
The lifespan of a product has a direct effect on its annualized carbon impact. For example, a high-quality product that lasts 5 years will have a lower annual impact than a cheaper version that lasts only 2 years, even if its initial production footprint is slightly higher.
Energy in Use
Many products, especially electronics and appliances, consume significant amounts of energy during their operational phase. By including active electricity consumption data, we can provide a complete picture of the total lifecycle footprint.
Examples of Input
- Durability: "5 years expected product life"
- Active Use: "120 kWh per year during operation"
- Standby: "0.5W power consumption in standby mode"
Impact
Capturing this phase highlights the environmental benefits of durability and energy-efficient design, which are key pillars of sustainability and long-term value.