ACCOUNTING AND COMMUNICATING EMISSION REDUCTIONS ENABLED BY INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
Annemarie Kerkhof, Vincent Hoen, Giel Linthorst
Last modified: 2014-09-11
Abstract
An increasing number of companies position their products in the market as enablers of emission reductions. Examples of such products are low-temperature detergents, fuel saving tires, energy-efficient ball-bearings, and teleconferencing equipment. For a successful market introduction of such products, it is essential to communicate emission reductions in a credible and comparable way. Methodologies, based on Life Cycle Assessment, have been developed by individual companies and at sector level (e.g. ICT and chemical sector). This paper discusses a number of methodological issues, inventoried by WWF, Ecofys, Utrecht University and a number of leading companies, where guidance is needed: 1) definition of the concept, 2) baseline selection 3) multiple environmental impacts, and 4) distribution of emission reductions in the value chain.
Keywords
emission reduction; innovative products
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