Analyzing ISO 14067, PAS 2050 and Product Standards 1 Tod
Delaney, Ph.D, P.E. President First Environment Inc. DRAFT
Slide 2
2 Role of Carbon Footprint Refers to the calculation of the
amount of GHG emissions associated with a company, event, activity,
or the lifecycle of a good/service ; Enables to ascertain and
manage GHG emissions along the supply chain; Safeguards the
survival of companies in the changing regulatory and economic
business landscape; Furthers the understanding of the risk and
opportunities in the supply chain; Allows to focus effort in
response to new regulatory, shareholder, and consumer pressures.
Klaus Radunsky
Slide 3
3
Slide 4
Various Product Standards PAS 2050 The WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol
Product Standard ISO 14067: International (global) Standard
Standards are broadly consistent in their quantification methods,
but their differing purpose and standard development processes has
lead to different documents. Key methodological rules underpinning
quantification in are consistent. In particular, key topics that
have been brought into alignment include consistent approaches to:
Sector or product rules Inclusion of biogenic carbon Recycling Land
use change Delayed emissions 4
Slide 5
PAS 2050 PAS 2050: Publicly Available Specification (PAS)
Issued by British Standards Institute (BSI) Published first in
2008, revised in 2011. was introduced in 2008 (revised in 2011)
with the aim of providing a consistent internationally applicable
method for quantifying product carbon footprints. PAS 2050 drew
upon lessons learned during the Product Standards development
process in its 2011 revision. 5
Slide 6
GHG Protocol Product Standard The WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol
Product Standard The GHG Protocol built on the initial PAS 2050
method in development of its Product Standard. Was released in 2011
and provides requirements to quantify the GHG inventories of
products as well as for public reporting. 6
Slide 7
ISO 14067 ISO 14067: International (global) Standard FDIS
Failed (Technical Specification) Still an on-going process To be
accepted by majority of participating countries If PAS contradicts
to ISO, PAS takes precedence 7
Slide 8
Areas of Consistent Approaches Across Standards AreasConsistent
approaches - no need for harmonization Boundary and Allocation Both
Cradle-to-grave and cradle-to-gate approaches are allowed Data and
Data Quality Primary data requirement - Primary data shall be
collected for all individual processes under the financial and
operations control OffsetsNot allowed for inclusion 8
Slide 9
Differing Principles PrinciplePAS 2050 vs. Product Standard vs.
ISO 14067 - minor differences in definitions Completeness Per PAS
2050, an inventory is considered complete if all material emissions
are included (processes or sources contributing >1% to total
emissions are considered material). The Product Standard allows
insignificant emissions to be excluded, with the reporting
organization determining the exclusion threshold based on the
business goals for the inventory. ISO 14067 emphasizes
comprehensiveness and significance. Consistency Under PAS 2050,
consistency is required to enable meaningful comparisons in GHG
related information. The Product Standard defines consistency more
narrowly as the ability to compare inventory results for a single
product over time. ISO 14067 emphasizes consistency, but
comparative assertions are not supported Accuracy PAS 2050 states
bias and uncertainties should be reduced as far as practicable. The
Product Standard is more prescriptive, requiring inventories with
no systematic bias. However, it also states practitioners should
achieve sufficient accuracy to enable users to make decisions with
reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the reported
information. In practice, it seems the Product Standard requires a
level of accuracy sufficient to meet the intended business goals
for the inventory. ISO 14067 emphasizes avoidance of double
counting, comprehensiveness, and significance. 9
Slide 10
Goal, Scope, and Principles 10 Product Sector RulesPotential
Differences PAS 2050 review has introduced supplementary
requirements (SRs) that include sector guidance/rules /Product
Category Rules (CPR) ISO uses CPR when available and applicable.
The Product Standard refers to product rules to enable comparisons.
All documents require sector approaches to be consistent with the
overarching standard. A potential for differences exists in the
supplementary requirements (SRs) and/or product rules used. But the
expectation is that the same rules should apply to any
standard.
Slide 11
Goal, Scope, and Principles 11 Product Category Rules
(PCRs)Potential Differences PAS 2050: the ISO 14025 compliant PCRs:
(1) Shall be used in boundary setting when the system boundary in
the PCR does not conflict with the system boundary established in
PAS 2050 clause 6, (2)As the first preference The Product Standard:
encourages users to look to sector specific guidance and product
rules when available and in conformance with the product standard.
Provides guidance on additional specifications needed for
comparisons that can be addressed in product rules. ISO 14067: Part
1: PCRs shall be used when they: (a)Exist, Are in accordance with
ISO 14025, (b)Comply with the requirements of this standard, (c)
Are considered proper. Part 2: The CF communication to consumers
shall fulfill specific product group requirements as defined by the
PGR developed in accordance with the standard. GHGP does not
require PCRs to be followed (for quantification or public
reporting) but also is more flexible beyond 14025. PCR usage under
ISO part 1 and PAS is required but its not clear how users might
interpret considered proper or does not conflict and whether that
interpretation will be consistent. ISO part 2 requires PGRs but not
program operators for public reporting
Slide 12
Goal, Scope, and Principles 12 Product ComparisonPotential
Differences PAS 2050: intended to support comparison of GHG
emissions between products, and to provide a common basis for
communication of this information. However this PAS does not
specify requirements for communication (except use profile). The
Product Standard: supports performance tracking of a product over
time. For product labeling, performance claims by third parties,
consumer and business decision making based on comparison of two
products, and other types of product comparison, additional
specifications are needed. Comparative assertions are not
supported. ISO 14067: Comparative assertions are not supported.
There are different specifications for communication of
comparisons.
Slide 13
Treatment of Specific Emissions & Removals 13 Aircraft
emissionsPotential Differences None of the standards require the
use of a multiplier or other correction to emissions from aircraft
transport. The Product Standard allows the use of a multiplier in
the inventory results, but if so the multiplier must also be
disclosed in the inventory report. If a multiplier is used for PAS
2050, it needs to be recorded separately from the main inventory
result. Minor chance - the inclusion of a multiplier is optional in
the Product Standard but if included would cause different results
for air travel emissions.
Slide 14
Treatment of Specific Emissions & Removals 14 Time period
for assessmentPotential Differences PAS 2050 specifies 100 year
assessment period, unless otherwise provided for in supplementary
requirements. The Product Standard allows companies to specify the
appropriate time-frame. ISO 14040/14044, 14067 there is no time
limitation. But if known science, sector guidance, or product rules
do not exist, the Product Standard suggests companies should assume
a minimum time period of 100 years including the end-of-life stage.
Minor chance If a longer time period is used following the Product
Standard. However, both standards allow flexibility for certain
products/sectors.
Slide 15
Treatment of Specific Emissions & Removals 15 Stored
CarbonPotential Differences In PSA 2050 and Protocol Standard,
carbon stored beyond the assessment period is treated as stored
carbon. In the Product Standard, stored carbon is also reported
separately. PAS 2050 time period for biogenic carbon storage is
within 100-years period) ISO doesnt require a time period. Data on
the timing of carbon storage & sequestration shall be collected
and reported separately Minor chance - if time / assessment period
is different. PAS explicitly recognizes the impact of carbon
storage. ISO: Unclear what reported separately means. Protocol
Standard : Embedded carbon reported but impact not included in
product footprint
Slide 16
System Boundary 16 System BoundaryPotential Differences PAS
2050 sets certain specific inclusions and exclusions for the system
boundary as a default unless provided for in supplementary
requirements (e.g., excludes capital goods). 95% minimum coverage
The Product Standard requires all attributable processes to be
included in the boundary. Non-attributable processes (i.e. not
directly connected to the studied product like capital goods) are
not required to be included (and if included must be disclosed).
ISO 14067 one criterion: significant contribution to CFP; there are
cut-off rules (mass, energy, environmental impact). Inclusion or
exclusion of either attributable or non- attributable processes can
be disclosed and justified. The default for both is to exclude
processes that are not typically relevant to a products life cycle.
Differences may result where different assumptions or product
rules/supplementary guidance are used. Use of the same SRs/product
rules should bring consistency here.
Slide 17
System Boundary 17 Materiality / Cut-offPotential Differences
Where a data gap exists, exclusions are allowed by the Product
Standard on the basis of significance (a 1% insignificance
threshold is given as a rule of thumb but not required).
Justification and disclosure of exclusions from the assessment is
required in the inventory report. PAS 2050 allows exclusions on the
basis of materiality (50%, and not requiring scale up to account
for 100%. Some chance if assessment under the Product Standard
results in greater than a 5 % of total emissions excluded, this
will cause different results than PAS 2050. Use of SRs / product
rules may bring consistency here.
Slide 18
Allocation 18 AllocationPotential Differences After avoiding
allocation, the hierarchy within the Product Standard is physical
allocation and then economic allocation. PAS 2050 step 2 physical
relationships does not apply ISO requires a 3 step procedure For
PAS 2050, the hierarchy is supplementary requirements (SRs) and
then economic allocation as the default approach except in some
cases where specific requirements are given (i.e., transport/energy
recovery/energy production using CHP). Some chance - without SRs
available its possible that physical allocation is used for Product
Standard & economic used for PAS 2050. Use of same SRs /
product rules may bring consistency here.
Slide 19
Land Use Impacts 19 Land Use ImpactsPotential Differences PAS
2050 defines a direct land use change as the conversion of
non-agricultural land to agricultural land as a consequence of
producing an agricultural product or input to a product on that
land. The Product Standard defines a direct land use change less
narrowly. It allows other methods to be used, as long as the
reference is reported. ISO 14067 : When significant, the GHG
emissions and removals occurring as a result of direct land use
change shall be assessed in accordance with the goal and scope of
the study and in accordance with internationally recognized methods
such as the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories. The Product Standard PAS 2050 do not include indirect
land use changes. Differences in definition scope can alter
results.
Slide 20
Calculating Emissions 20 Calculating EmissionsPotential
Differences PAS 2050 requires total emissions be scaled up to
account for any immaterial excluded emissions, while the Product
Standard allows processes or inputs with missing data to be
excluded, if a worst case emissions estimate indicates they are
insignificant. PAS 2050 requires use of the latest IPCC Global
Warming Potentials (GWPs) to convert all GHGs inventoried to CO2e
units, while the Product Standard doesnt explicitly require use of
IPCC GWPs. While PAS 2050 allows weighting of delayed emissions
over time, the Product Standard does not allow weighting of
emissions when estimating the main inventory results. However, if
organizations want to also report the impact of delayed emissions
separately, they may do so. Different quantification may lead to
differing results. The addition of the weighting of emissions in
PAS 2050 may lead to differing results.
Slide 21
Inventoried GHGs 21 GHGsPotential Differences The Product
Standard and ISO 14067 requires the six Kyoto GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O,
SF6, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)) be
included in the inventory, but recommends other GHGs significant or
relevant to the product being inventoried be included as well. In
addition to the six Kyoto gases, PAS 2050 requires inclusion of
substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol and listed in the
latest IPCC guidance. PAS 2050 has a more inclusive list, so in
cases where additional substances beyond those listed in the
Product Standard are included, this should be noted in reporting.
The inclusion of Different GHGs may lead to differing results. This
also changes the scope of the quantification.
Slide 22
Assurance/Verification 22 VerificationPotential Differences PAS
2050 provides for three types of conformity assessment for product
inventories: (1) independent third party certification; (2) other
party verification (non-accredited third parties); and (3) self-
verification. PAS 2050 highly encourages independent third party
certification when communicating inventory results publicly. ISO:
requires third party certification. Some types of communication
(labels) are a detailed publicly available report Product Standard:
must be assured by a first or third party. Mandatory verification
can lead to different results than without it.
Slide 23
Reporting 23 ReportingPotential Differences PAS 2050 does not
specify any requirements for communicating a product-level carbon
footprint. However, it does require that data supporting the GHG
emission calculations, including but not limited to, product and
process boundaries, materials, emission factors, etc. The Product
Standard lists specific elements which must be included in public
reporting of product-level inventories in Chapter 14. According to
the Standard, a public GHG inventory report must follow the key
accounting principles (Relevance, Accuracy, Completeness,
Consistency, and Transparency) and include: general information,
scope, boundaries, allocation, recycling, data information,
inventory results, methodological choices, inventory changes over
time, assurance, and use of results. Differing requirements can
lead to different results
Slide 24
Reporting 24 ReportingPotential Differences ISO 14067 Addresses
quantification and communication of carbon footprints. It supports
linkage to more specific rules (e.g., PCRs under ISO 14025, sector
specific standards, internationally agreed sector-specific guidance
documents, CFP-PCR) Supports Comparisons of CFP if linked to more
specific rules (e.g., CFP-PCR) but limited by Annex. Differing
requirements can lead to different results
Slide 25
Conclusions More harmonization is needed to facilitate
comparability of carbon footprints for similar products.
Transparency in reporting, including clear identification of
guidelines followed, unit of analysis, boundaries, assumptions, and
limitations, will be essential for increasing utility of
product-level emission inventories for both reporting organizations
and the public. As further sector specific rules are developed, we
hope that the same rules may be applied to either standard to bring
further consistency in product carbon assessments internationally.
25
Slide 26
Thank you 26
Slide 27
Supplemental Information about ISO 14067 27
Slide 28
28 ISO 14067 Key Features (1) Carbon footprint of products
Requirements and guidelines for quantification and communication
Introduction 1.Scope 2.Normative references 3.Terms and definitions
4.Application 5.Principles 6.Methodology for CFP quantification
6.1General 6.2Use of CFP-PCR 6.3Goal and scope of the CFP
quantification 6.4Life cycle inventory analysis for the CFP 6.5Life
cycle impact assessment 6.6Life cycle interpretation 7.CFP study
report Klaus Radunsky
Slide 29
29 ISO 14067 Key Features (2) 8.Publicly available CFP
communication 8.1General 8.2CFP disclosure report 9.CFP
communication 9.1Options for CFP communication 9.2CFP communication
intended to be available to the public 9.3CFP communication not
intended to be available to the public 9.4CFP communication
programme 9.5Creation of CFP-PCR 9.6Additional aspects for CFP
communication Annex A (normative) The 100-year GWP Annex B
(normative) Limitations of the carbon footprint of a product Annex
C (informative) Possible procedure for the treatment of recycling
CFP studies Annex D (normative) Comparisons of CFPs Klaus
Radunsky
Slide 30
30
Slide 31
31 ISO 14067 Key Features (3) 4 Application As with all ISO
International Standards, this International Standard is not
intended to create barriers to trade or to contradict any WTO
requirements. The CFP study shall not be used for a communication
on overall environmental superiority because a CFP study covers
only a single impact category. Comparisons based on the CFP of
different products shall not be made public unless the requirements
of Annex D are fulfilled, because of the inherent limitations of
the CFP approach (see also Annex B). Klaus Radunsky
Slide 32
ISO 14067 Key Features (4) Consistency (terminology,
principles, requirements) With existing ISO standards (e.g., ISO
14040, 14044, 14020, 14025) With PAS 2050 With GHG Protocol Product
Standard Supports four options for communication of CFP Declaration
Label Report Performance tracking report (CFP claim: see ISO 14021)
Klaus Radunsky 32