This guide shows you how to set the scope of your Product Carbon Footprint in M2030. For more information on PCF Scopes, you can head back to Lesson 4 for a refresh.

You'll need to be logged in and on the PCF Builder section of the platform.

Below, you'll also find important context on using declared units in M2030.

Guidance on declared units 

When creating a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), choosing the right unit of measurement is crucial. Just like you need to know if you're looking at price per item or per kilogram (kg) when comparing products at a grocery store.

Getting your declared units right matters because it:

• Ensures your calculations are accurate
• Makes it possible to compare different products fairly
• Helps you communicate results clearly to stakeholders
• Allows you to track progress over time

So how do you measure things in PCF calculations? Before you start crunching numbers, you'll need to choose how to measure your product. Think of it as picking the right measuring stick for your calculations. There are two ways to do this – through declared units or functional units.

• Declared units (the simple measure)

  A declared unit is the straightforward way to measure your product. It’s the physical amount of your product, usually used in cradle-to-gate PCFs (which track emissions from raw material extraction up to when your product leaves the factory gate). It focuses on how much of the product is made, without thinking about its ultimate use or function.

  💡 Example
  Let’s say you make t-shirts. Your declared unit may be “1 t-shirt” or “1kg of t-shirts.” This becomes your baseline for measuring all carbon emissions in your production process.

• Functional units (measuring performance)

  When you want to look at how your product performs throughout its entire life (a cradle-to-grave PCF, which follows emissions from raw materials all the way through to disposal) you’ll use functional units. Rather than measuring the physical product, you’re measuring what it does. This makes it easier to compare similar products based on how they’re actually used.

  💡 Example
  Think about car tires. Instead of measuring by weight or number of tires, you might measure by kilometres driven. As a result, you’ll find out more about the tire’s actual environmental impact during its useful life.

How units work in M2030's PCF Module

Now that you understand the different types of units, let's look at how to use them in M2030's PCF Builder. The tool focuses on declared units that match how you sell your product, making it simple to track your product's carbon footprint from materials to factory gate.

Once you’ve picked your unit, everything else will be measured against it. Think of it as your reference point for all calculations. 

For example:

If you choose 1kg as your declared unit, you’ll need to calculate everything that goes into making that 1kg – such as raw materials, energy use, and shipping.

How is the declared unit used in M2030?

After calculating your emissions, you’ll get a neat “per unit” result that’s easy to understand and compare.

💡 Example

• You calculate emissions for 5kg of your product
• Total emissions are 100kg CO₂e
• Simple math: 100kg CO₂e ÷ 5 kg = 20kg CO₂e per kg

This makes it easy to compare different products or batches on an equal footing.

Frequently asked questions

• M2030 follows the PACT Methodology, which means we use a specific set of units to keep everything consistent and comparable. While this might mean you can’t use your usual unit of measurement, it helps ensure everyone’s speaking the same language when it comes to carbon footprints.

  Don’t panic if declared units seems tricky. We’re here to help you. So, if you need support converting your measurements or choosing the right unit, reach out to us.

• Once a PCF is created, you cannot change the scope details, including the declared unit or reference period. This is to maintain data integrity and consistency.

  If you have entered incorrect information (e.g. wrong year or declared unit), please:

  1. Delete the current PCF with the incorrect data.
  2. Create a new PCF for the product with the correct scope details.

  This ensures all calculations are based on an accurate and clearly defined scope.

If you have questions regarding the selection or use of declared and functional units, please send us a message.