The Carbon Footprint refers to the complete quantity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced either directly or indirectly by a person, group, occurrence, or item. It provides a standardized measure, typically expressed as CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
The significance of the carbon footprint lies in its life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach. For a product, this includes emissions from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, usage, and disposal.
Analyzing this footprint is the foundational step in any decarbonization strategy, as it identifies the highest-impact areas (hotspots) where emissions must be prioritized for reduction.