The process of calculating carbon footprints for products and services

Business-to-consumer (B2C)
When calculating the carbon footprint of B2C goods, typical process map steps are: From raw material, through manufacture, distribution and retail, to consumer use and finally disposal and/or recycling, i.e. ‘cradle-to-grave’.

Business-to-business (B2B)
Business-to-business carbon footprints stop at the point at which the product is delivered to another manufacturer, consistent with the ‘cradle-to-gate’ approach described in BS EN ISO 14040.

Carbon Neutral Products and Services
Carbon footprinting of products and services is undertaken by the Carbon Trust in compliance with PAS 2050:2008

Who is ‘Carbon Neutral’?
There are many different organisations and businesses currently benefitting from being ‘Carbon Neutral’, in a variety of sectors including:
“All journeys are now carbon neutral at no extra cost to our travellers” (Eurostar)
“The world’s first carbon neutral media company” (Sky)
“The first carbon neutral beer” (Adnams)
“Aiming to be England’s first carbon neutral village” (Ashton Hayes)
“The first major computing company to go carbon neutral” (Dell)
“A new carbon neutral debit card” (Barclays)
“100% carbon neutral car insurance” (ibuyeco.co.uk)
“Carbon neutral estates by 2012” (HM Government)
“Water coolers that are effectively carbon neutral” (Office Watercoolers)