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A Product Carbon Footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of a specific product or service. It can encompass all stages of a product’s lifecycle, from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. At M2030, we help suppliers to build cradle-to-gate PCFs.
Reducing GHG emissions and improving climate impact are key for companies to stay ahead and create value. This can lead to cost savings through energy efficiency and waste reduction. It also helps companies manage risks from changing regulations and supply chain issues, opens up opportunities for innovation and new markets, and builds stronger relationships with stakeholders.
The PCF Builder is designed to assist suppliers in calculating and managing the carbon footprints of their products. This tool supports companies in their product decarbonization efforts by providing accurate and actionable data on product emissions.
Yes, you can build PCFs before you've done Facility measurements, as PCF is a separate module from facility-level measurements. However, if requested by a customer, it might be simpler to do the facility measurements first, as they can provide useful data and context that could streamline the PCF development process.
The core M2030 solution helps manufacturers to measure, manage, and reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions at the facility level. Building a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) offers a more in-depth approach to emissions reduction by enabling users to analyze the carbon footprint of their products, with a focus on Scope 3 emissions. This helps organizations identify emissions hotspots and high carbon products and product categories.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Upstream Scope 3 Categories: 1, 3, 4 & 5:
- Scope 3, Category 1: Purchased goods and services
- Scope 3, Category 3: Fuel and energy related activities not included in S1 and S2
- Scope 3, Category 4: Upstream transportation and distribution
- Scope 3, Category 5: Waste generated in operations.
Individual SKU or product level is any good (tangible product, such as material) or service (intangible product). The user will undertake a more detailed/specific assessment, tailored to the characteristics of a single product variant, down to the SKU level. This allows for precise comparisons and optimization of carbon reduction efforts.

A product category is a group of products that can fulfil equivalent functions. The user will apply a more generalized set of rules and assumptions to a wider range of products within a category. The user applies a more generalized set of rules and assumptions to a wider range of products with a category. This allows for the assessment and comparison of environmental performance across different product categories.
Customers may request Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) for several reasons:
- Improved Scope 3 reporting accuracy: Many major companies have committed to reducing their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, with some targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To meet these goals, they need more accurate Scope 3 Category 1 data (purchased goods and services). PCFs help provide this data while also improving supply chain transparency, which is increasingly important under regulations like the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
- Regulatory preparedness: Emerging regulations, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduced in 2024, require product-level emissions data. While PCFs may not directly fulfill all regulatory requirements, they help businesses prepare for future compliance and support decarbonization efforts, reducing potential costs and risks.
- Procurement decisions: Many companies are integrating carbon footprint data into their procurement strategies, prioritizing suppliers with lower emissions. Providing PCFs can enhance a supplier’s competitiveness and strengthen relationships with sustainability-focused buyers.

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