Upstream Carbon Dioxide Assessment at the Product Level

Abstract

Carbon dioxide emissions are a major driver of the greenhouse gas effect and must hence be significantly reduced. Wherever choices between multiple alternatives have to be made, quantification of the amount of associated emissions is a necessity. Since a major part of carbon dioxide emissions stems from processes upstream in the supply chain, algorithms are required which facilitate upstream carbon dioxide assessment in absence of supplier data. Furthermore, for the purchasing of goods and services, this assessment has to be undertaken at the product level, rather than at the firm level. We facilitate the development of such an algorithm by reviewing data quality and system boundary requirements of existing standards, and by analyzing extant and conceiving further possible calculation methods. Based on this research, an algorithm can be developed.