> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.greenzero.eu/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

> Methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions across a product lifecycle

## What is a Product Carbon Footprint?

A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is a methodology focused exclusively on measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout a product's lifecycle. PCF is sometimes called a "carbon footprint" and follows ISO 14067 standards for quantification.

## Key Characteristics

* **Single impact focus**: Only measures climate change impacts (GWP)
* **Standardized**: Follows ISO 14067 methodology
* **Widely adopted**: Common starting point for many sustainability programs
* **Communication-friendly**: Results are easily communicated (kg CO₂ eq.)

## When to Use PCF

Consider using PCF when:

* Starting your sustainability journey with a focus on climate impacts
* Specifically targeting carbon reduction initiatives
* Complying with carbon disclosure requirements
* Communicating climate impacts to customers

## PCF vs Full LCA

While PCF provides valuable insights into climate impacts, it's important to understand its limitations:

| PCF                               | Full LCA                             |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Climate impacts only              | Multiple environmental impacts       |
| Simpler data requirements         | More comprehensive data needs        |
| Faster to complete                | More time-intensive                  |
| May miss environmental trade-offs | Provides holistic environmental view |

## Implementation in GREENZERO Journey

In GREENZERO Journey, a PCF is essentially a simplified version of our full LCA that displays only the Climate Change (GWP) impact category. All calculations follow the same methodology as our full LCA, but the results are limited to greenhouse gas emissions.

For organizations looking to expand beyond PCF to a more comprehensive assessment, we recommend exploring our [ReCiPe 2016](/insights/methodologies/overview#recipe-2016) methodology or the [Product Environmental Footprint](/insights/methodologies/pef).