Guide dealing with the process of measuring the carbon footprint of products along the value chain, known as Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs), in the agri-food sector - provides an introduction to (PCF); outlines various types of PCF schemes and initiatives; describes steps involved in calculating PCFs, illustrating each step through case study examples; presents methodological issues and problems in calculating PCFs with a focus on data, uncertainty and issues particularly relevant to developing countries; gives an overview of potential mitigation measures; appendices include links to relevant websites, a glossary of related terms, and a list of frequently asked questions.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
Food exporters are increasingly being asked by retailers to measure and reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their products, and new market requirements have emerged, mainly in the form of standards on ‘product carbon footprinting’ (PCFs).
Agriculture accounts for 13 per cent of global GHG emissions. This rises to approximately 30 per cent if land clearance for farming, agrochemical production and trade in agricultural and food products are attributed to the sector.