# Account Creation Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/account-management/account-creation How to get an account on GREENZERO Journey This guide explains how you get access to GREENZERO Journey. ## Access by Invitation GREENZERO Journey has no self-registration. Every account is created by GREENZERO and linked to your organization before you sign in for the first time. ### New to GREENZERO Journey? Use **Request a demo** on the [Journey website](https://journey.greenzero.eu) or the login page, or go directly to [greenzero.eu/kontakt](https://greenzero.eu/kontakt/). Our team will get in touch, show you the platform and set up your organization. ## Account Creation Process ### 1. Invitation GREENZERO creates your user account and assigns it to your organization. You receive an invitation e-mail from our authentication service Bare.ID. ### 2. Set Your Password 1. Open the link in the invitation e-mail 2. Choose a secure password 3. After confirming, you are signed in to GREENZERO Journey automatically and land in your organization The invitation link is valid for a limited time. If it has expired, ask [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) for a new invitation. ### 3. Signing In Later Sign in at [journey.greenzero.eu/auth/login](https://journey.greenzero.eu/auth/login) with your e-mail address and password. If your Google account uses the same e-mail address as your Journey account, you can also sign in with Google. ## No Organization Yet? If you can sign in but see the message that your account is not linked to an organization yet, contact [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). Organizations are set up and assigned by GREENZERO. For assistance at any stage, contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). # Account Deletion Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/account-management/account-deletion How to permanently delete your account and understand the implications This guide explains how to delete your account and what happens to your data afterward. Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. All your personal data will be permanently removed from our systems. ## Important Information About Account Deletion At this time, the only way to delete your account is to contact our support team. Please reach out to [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) to initiate the account deletion process. ## What Happens When You Delete Your Account * All your personal profile information - Your activity history and preferences - Any comments you've made across the platform - Your personal documents and settings - All personal information associated with your account * Organization data and structure (account deletion does not delete the organization) - Anonymized usage data for analytics purposes - Any content you've shared publicly that others have referenced * Records required for legal and compliance purposes ## Data Removal Timeline After your deletion request is processed: 1. **Immediate**: Your account becomes inaccessible 2. **Within 30 days**: Your personal data is removed from our active systems 3. **Within 90 days**: Your data is removed from our backups Some information may be retained for legal, security, or business purposes as outlined in our Privacy Policy. ## Need Help? If you have questions about account deletion or need assistance: Contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) or use the live chat feature in your account settings. # Change E-Mail Address Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/account-management/change-email Information about email address changes for your account Changing your email address is currently not possible. This feature is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to our account management system. This page provides information about email address changes and what to expect when this feature becomes available. Your email address is used for account notifications, password resets, and as your primary login identifier. ## Feature Status We are currently working on reimplementing the email change functionality with improved security features. This documentation will be updated when the feature becomes available. If you need to update your email address for critical reasons, please contact our support team for assistance. Our support team can assist with urgent email change requests ## Security Considerations * Update your recovery options after changing your email * Consider enabling two-factor authentication if not already active * Review your recent account activity for any suspicious actions ## Troubleshooting If you don't receive the verification email: - Check your spam or junk folder - Ensure you entered the correct email address - Wait up to 15 minutes for delayed delivery - Click "Resend Verification" in your account settings If the system indicates your new email is already in use: - Confirm you don't have another account with that email - Try using an email alias if your provider supports it - Contact support if you believe there's an error If your verification link has expired: 1. Return to your account settings 2. Click "Resend Verification" 3. Complete the verification process within 24 hours ## Frequently Asked Questions Yes, once you've changed your email, your old email address becomes available for use with a new account after 30 days. ## Need Help? If you're experiencing issues changing your email address: Our support team can assist with email change issues and account recovery # Change Password Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/account-management/change-password How to update your account password and maintain account security This guide explains how to reset your account password and provides best practices for password security. If you need to change your password, please use the "Forgot Password" functionality available on the login screen. ## Password Requirements Your password must meet the following requirements: * Minimum 8 characters in length * At least one uppercase letter * At least one lowercase letter * At least one number * At least one special character (e.g., !@#\$%^&\*) * Must not match any of your previous 5 passwords Strong passwords significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized account access. ## Password Reset Process Navigate to the login screen of your account. Click on the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen. Login screen with Forgot Password link highlighted Enter the email address associated with your account and submit the form. A password reset link will be sent to this email address. Open the email from our system and click on the password reset link. The password reset link is only valid for 24 hours. Enter your new password twice to confirm. The system will validate that your password meets all requirements. Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords. Click the **Reset Password** button to save your new password. After resetting your password, you'll be directed to log in with your new password. ## After Resetting Your Password Once your password has been reset: 1. You'll need to log in with your new password 2. All other active sessions on other devices will be terminated 3. You'll receive an email notification confirming the password reset If you didn't initiate the password reset, contact support immediately by clicking the "I didn't make this change" link in the confirmation email. ## Password Security Best Practices * Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters * Avoid using easily guessable information (birthdays, names, etc.) * Use different passwords for different accounts * Consider using a passphrase instead of a single word * Store passwords securely in an encrypted password manager * Generate random, complex passwords * Automatically fill passwords to avoid typing them * Regularly audit your saved passwords for security issues * Add an extra layer of security beyond your password * Learn how to [enable 2FA](/account-management/two-factor-authentication) on your account ## Troubleshooting If you don't receive the password reset email: 1. Check your spam or junk folder 2. Verify you entered the correct email address 3. Wait a few minutes as emails can sometimes be delayed 4. Try requesting another reset email if needed If you still don't receive the email, contact support for assistance. If your new password is rejected: - Ensure it meets all the requirements listed above - Check that it doesn't contain your username or email address - Verify it hasn't been used for your account previously - Try a completely different password If you don't receive the confirmation email: - Check your spam or junk folder - Verify your email address is correct in your profile - Add [support@greenzero.com](mailto:support@greenzero.com) to your contacts - Contact support if the issue persists ## Need Help? If you're experiencing issues resetting your password: Our support team is available 24/7 to assist with account security issues # API Reference Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/api-reference/introduction GREENZERO Journey API Documentation The GREENZERO Journey API is not publicly available. If you are interested in integrating with our API for your organization, please contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) to discuss access options and receive detailed documentation. ## Overview The GREENZERO Journey API allows programmatic access to product data, environmental impact assessments, and portfolio analytics. With proper authorization, you can: * Manage products and their bills of materials * Upload and process product data files * Generate and retrieve LCA results * Access portfolio-level environmental insights * Integrate GREENZERO Journey functionality into your systems ## Authentication All API endpoints require authentication using secure Bearer tokens. Tokens are issued to approved partners and have specific access scopes based on your organization's needs. ## Rate Limits API usage is subject to rate limits to ensure system stability. These limits are communicated during the onboarding process and may vary based on your specific integration requirements. ## Getting Access To request API access: 1. Contact [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) with your use case 2. Complete the API integration questionnaire 3. Sign the API terms of service 4. Receive your API credentials and detailed documentation Our team will work with you to ensure a smooth integration process and provide technical support throughout your implementation. # Frequently Asked Questions Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/faq Common questions about environmental footprinting and using GREENZERO Journey This page answers common questions about environmental footprinting and using the GREENZERO Journey platform. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). ## Environmental Footprinting Basics A **carbon footprint** measures only greenhouse gas emissions (climate impact), while an **environmental footprint** includes multiple environmental impacts such as water use, land use, acidification, and others. GREENZERO Journey provides a comprehensive environmental footprint that includes eight impact categories, giving you a more complete picture of your product's environmental performance. While climate change is critically important, focusing solely on carbon emissions can lead to "burden shifting"—where reducing carbon might inadvertently increase other environmental impacts. For example, switching from plastic to paper packaging might reduce fossil fuel use but increase water consumption and land use. A comprehensive environmental footprint helps you make balanced decisions that consider all environmental aspects. Environmental footprint calculations always involve some uncertainty due to: - Variations in production processes - Data availability and quality - Methodological choices - Regional differences in environmental impacts GREENZERO Journey maximizes accuracy by using the latest scientific data and methodologies, clearly indicating data quality, and continuously updating its environmental database. While absolute precision is challenging, the results reliably identify your most significant impacts and improvement opportunities. GREENZERO Journey follows internationally recognized standards and methodologies including: - ISO 14040/14044 for Life Cycle Assessment - ReCiPe 2016 for impact assessment methods - CE Delft for environmental cost factors This ensures that your results are scientifically sound, comparable, and aligned with global best practices. ## Getting Started with GREENZERO Journey You can start with very basic information—even just a product name and description. GREENZERO Journey's AI will help fill in gaps based on similar products and industry averages. However, more detailed information leads to more accurate results. At minimum, try to provide: - What your product is made of (main materials) - Approximate weights if available - Country of manufacture You can always refine your assessment with more detailed information later. No, GREENZERO Journey is designed for users without specialized environmental expertise. The platform: - Guides you through the assessment process step by step - Explains environmental concepts in clear, accessible language - Automatically handles complex calculations and data matching - Provides visual results that are easy to understand While environmental background can be helpful, it's absolutely not required to get valuable insights from the platform. Your first assessment can be completed in as little as 15-30 minutes, depending on how much product information you have available. The AI processing typically takes just a few minutes. As you become more familiar with the platform and process, subsequent assessments can be even faster, especially if you're assessing similar products. Yes, GREENZERO Journey supports several data import methods: - Upload existing BOMs or product specifications as Excel or CSV files - Import product information from e-commerce URLs - Upload product images or documentation PDFs - Connect to PLM or ERP systems via API (enterprise plans) The platform is designed to work with whatever data you have available, minimizing manual data entry. ## Understanding Results Environmental cost is a way to express environmental impacts in monetary terms (euros), making them easier to understand and compare. It represents the estimated societal cost of environmental damages. For example, an environmental cost of €1.30 for climate change impact means that the greenhouse gas emissions from your product are estimated to cause €1.30 worth of climate-related damages to society. GREENZERO Journey uses CE Delft cost factors to convert physical impacts (like kg CO₂e) into these monetary values. Environmental impacts are most meaningful when compared to something: - **Industry benchmarks**: How your product compares to similar products - **Previous versions**: How your current product compares to earlier designs - **Alternative designs**: How different design options compare - **Improvement targets**: How your product performs against your goals GREENZERO Journey provides industry benchmarks where available and allows you to track improvements over time. Rather than absolute "good" or "bad" judgments, focus on identifying your biggest impacts and continuously improving. Hotspots are materials, components, or processes that contribute disproportionately to your product's environmental impact. They're important because they represent your biggest opportunities for improvement. By focusing on hotspots, you can achieve significant environmental benefits with targeted efforts—often following the Pareto principle where addressing 20% of your materials or processes can reduce 80% of your impacts. Yes, GREENZERO Journey allows you to compare different products or different versions of the same product. This is particularly valuable for: - Evaluating design alternatives - Tracking improvements over time - Comparing products within your portfolio - Benchmarking against industry standards When comparing products, ensure they serve the same function and are assessed using consistent methodologies for fair comparison. ## Taking Action Common strategies for reducing environmental impacts include: 1. **Material substitution**: Switching to materials with lower environmental impacts 2. **Weight reduction**: Using less material while maintaining functionality 3. **Process optimization**: Improving manufacturing efficiency 4. **Supplier selection**: Choosing suppliers with better environmental performance 5\. **Transportation optimization**: Reducing distances or switching to cleaner transport modes 6\. **Design for longevity**: Extending product lifespan through durability or repairability 7. **Renewable energy**: Using renewable energy in manufacturing GREENZERO Journey provides specific improvement recommendations based on your product's unique hotspots. Environmental footprint data can inform various business decisions: - **Product development**: Guide material selection and design choices - **Procurement**: Evaluate and select suppliers based on environmental performance - **Marketing**: Substantiate environmental claims with credible data * **Risk management**: Identify and mitigate environmental regulatory risks - **Strategy**: Set meaningful sustainability targets and track progress - **Investment**: Prioritize capital investments with environmental benefits By integrating environmental considerations into decision-making, you can align business success with environmental responsibility. Consider updating your environmental assessments: - When making significant changes to product design or materials - When changing suppliers or manufacturing locations - When new, better-quality data becomes available - Annually for key products as part of sustainability reporting - When setting or tracking progress against environmental targets Regular updates help you track improvements and ensure your environmental data remains accurate and relevant. Yes, GREENZERO Journey results can be used for various external communications: - Sustainability reports - Environmental product declarations - Marketing materials - Customer communications - Investor presentations When communicating externally, ensure your claims are specific, accurate, and substantiated by your assessment results. GREENZERO Journey provides transparent methodology documentation to support credible communication. ## Technical Questions GREENZERO Journey uses a comprehensive environmental database that includes: - Industry-standard life cycle inventory (LCI) data - Proprietary data from research and industry partnerships - Regularly updated regional and global datasets The database covers thousands of materials, processes, and activities across various regions and industries, ensuring appropriate environmental profiles are available for your specific products. When specific data is unavailable, GREENZERO Journey: 1. Uses proxy data from similar materials or processes 2. Applies industry averages where appropriate 3. Clearly indicates where estimates are used 4. Provides uncertainty ranges to reflect data limitations The system is designed to work with incomplete information while maintaining transparency about data quality and confidence levels. Yes, GREENZERO Journey offers several customization options: - Adjust system boundaries (e.g., include or exclude use phase) - Select specific impact categories to focus on - Define custom scenarios for comparison - Import proprietary data for your specific materials or processes Advanced customization options are available on enterprise plans. Contact support for specific customization needs. Yes, GREENZERO Journey treats your product data with the highest level of security and confidentiality: - All data is encrypted in transit and at rest - Strict access controls limit who can view your data - You retain ownership of all your product information - Data is processed in compliance with GDPR and other relevant regulations We never share your specific product data with third parties without your explicit permission. ## Getting Help To learn more about environmental footprinting: 1. Explore the [Beginners Guide](/beginners-guide/introduction) section of our documentation 2. Review detailed information about [Impact Categories](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) 3. Check our [Blog](https://greenzero.eu/blog) for articles and case studies 4. Attend our regular webinars and training sessions 5. Contact us about customized training for your team If you need assistance: - Use the chat support feature in the GREENZERO Journey platform - Email [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) - Schedule a consultation with our sustainability experts - Check our documentation for step-by-step guides Our support team is available during business hours to help with technical issues, methodology questions, or interpretation of results. Yes, in addition to the GREENZERO Journey platform, we offer: - Customized training and onboarding - Expert review of your assessments - Strategic sustainability consulting - Custom integration with your existing systems - Industry-specific benchmarking and insights Contact us at [info@greenzero.eu](mailto:info@greenzero.eu) to discuss your specific needs. This FAQ is continuously updated based on user questions and feedback. If you have a question that isn't addressed here, please contact us so we can assist you and potentially add your question to help future users. # Your First Environmental Assessment Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/first-assessment A step-by-step guide to conducting your first environmental assessment in GREENZERO Journey This guide walks you through the process of conducting your first environmental assessment in GREENZERO Journey. We'll cover each step in detail, with practical tips to help you get meaningful results even if you're new to environmental footprinting. ## Before You Begin Before starting your first assessment, it helps to gather some basic information about your product: * Product name and description * Main materials used (even approximate information is helpful) * Approximate weights of materials if available * Country of manufacture * Any existing product documentation or specifications Don't worry if you don't have all this information—GREENZERO Journey's AI can work with whatever details you have available. ## Step 1: Create a New Product Navigate to [journey.greenzero.eu](https://journey.greenzero.eu) and log in to your account. Click on "Products" in the main navigation menu. Click the "Add Product" button to begin the product creation process. GREENZERO Journey offers three ways to add a product. Choose the one that works best for your situation: If your product is available online, you can simply provide the URL to the product page. The AI will extract relevant information automatically. 1. Select "Import by URL" option 2. Enter the product URL in the field provided 3. Click "Import Product" The AI will analyze the webpage, extract product details, and create an initial Bill of Materials. This method works best with e-commerce product pages that contain detailed product information. If you have product documentation in digital format, you can upload it for the AI to analyze. 1. Select "Import by File" option 2. Drag and drop your file or click to browse 3. Click "Upload and Import" Supported file formats include: - PDF documents - Excel spreadsheets - CSV files - Images of products or packaging - Technical drawings Product specification sheets, technical datasheets, or existing BOMs work particularly well with this method. If you don't have a URL or file, you can simply describe your product in detail. 1. Select "Import by Description" option 2. Enter a detailed description of your product 3. Click "Create Product" Try to include information about: - What the product is and its purpose - Main materials used - Approximate weights or dimensions - Manufacturing location - Any special features or components Be as specific as possible in your description. For example, "A cotton t-shirt with polyester stitching, weighing approximately 150g, made in Portugal" is better than just "cotton t-shirt." ## Step 2: Review and Refine the Bill of Materials After importing your product, GREENZERO Journey will generate an initial Bill of Materials (BOM). This is a critical step for accurate environmental assessment. Examine the materials and components that the AI has identified. Check for: - Missing materials or components - Incorrect material types - Inaccurate quantities or weights The initial BOM is based on available information and may not be complete. Your review and refinement are essential for accurate results. If any materials are missing: 1. Click "Add Material" button 2. Enter the material name and description 3. Specify the quantity and unit (e.g., 0.5 kg) 4. Add any additional information like supplier or manufacturing process 5. Click "Save" For complex products, you may want to organize materials into components: 1. Click "Add Component" button 2. Name the component (e.g., "Battery Assembly") 3. Add materials to this component 4. Specify manufacturing processes specific to this component Components help organize complex products and can make it easier to identify improvement opportunities later. For each material, ensure the quantity is specified accurately: 1. Click on the material in the BOM 2. Enter the weight or quantity 3. Select the appropriate unit (kg, g, m², etc.) 4. Click "Save" If you don't know exact weights, reasonable estimates are better than leaving quantities blank. You can always refine these later. ## Step 3: Add Packaging Information Packaging often contributes significantly to a product's environmental impact. GREENZERO Journey allows you to document packaging separately from the product itself. Click on the "Packaging" tab within your product view. Similar to the product BOM, add all packaging materials: 1. Click "Add Material" button 2. Enter the packaging material name (e.g., "Cardboard Box") 3. Specify the quantity and unit 4. Add any additional information 5. Click "Save" Common packaging materials include cardboard, plastic film, paper, foam inserts, and adhesives. Don't forget small items like labels and tape. Indicate whether each item is: - Primary packaging (in direct contact with the product) - Secondary packaging (groups products together) - Tertiary packaging (for shipping and handling) Currently, GREENZERO Journey focuses primarily on primary packaging, with support for secondary and tertiary packaging coming in future updates. ## Step 4: Generate the Environmental Assessment Once you've reviewed and refined your product and packaging information, you're ready to generate the environmental assessment. Click the "Generate Environmental Assessment" button. GREENZERO Journey will process your product information and calculate environmental impacts across all eight impact categories. This typically takes just a few minutes. During processing, the AI is: 1. Matching your materials to environmental profiles in its database 2. Calculating impacts for each material and process 3. Aggregating results across the full product system 4. Identifying hotspots and improvement opportunities Once processing is complete, you'll be notified that your environmental assessment is ready to view. ## Step 5: Explore Your Results Now comes the exciting part—exploring your product's environmental footprint and understanding what it means. The overview dashboard shows your product's environmental performance at a glance: - Total environmental cost (monetized impacts) - Performance across all eight impact categories - Comparison to industry benchmarks (if available) - Key hotspots and improvement opportunities Click on any impact category to see more detailed information: - What the impact category measures * Your product's performance in this category - Main contributors to this impact - Potential reduction strategies Start with the categories that show the highest impacts—these represent your biggest improvement opportunities. The "Hotspots" section identifies materials, components, or processes that contribute most significantly to your product's environmental impact: 1. Review the highlighted hotspots 2. Click on each hotspot to see which impact categories it affects 3. Consider the suggested improvement strategies Focusing on hotspots gives you the most environmental benefit for your improvement efforts. You can save your assessment results and share them with team members or stakeholders: 1. Click "Export" to download a PDF report 2. Use the "Share" button to invite others to view the results 3\. Save specific views or insights for future reference ## Next Steps After Your First Assessment Congratulations on completing your first environmental assessment! Here's what you might want to do next: Improve the accuracy of your assessment by adding more detailed information about materials, processes, and suppliers. Use the "Scenarios" feature to model how changes to your product might reduce environmental impacts. Build your product portfolio to identify patterns and priorities across multiple products. Explore the [Impact Categories](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) documentation to deepen your understanding. ## Common Questions About First Assessments Your first assessment provides a good starting point, but accuracy depends on the quality and completeness of your input data. As you add more specific information about materials, weights, suppliers, and processes, your results will become more accurate. Even with limited data, the assessment can identify key hotspots and improvement opportunities. Reasonable estimates are better than no data at all. GREENZERO Journey can work with approximate values, and you can refine these as you gather more precise information. The system will indicate where data quality could be improved. Environmental impact results are most meaningful when compared to something—either industry benchmarks, previous versions of your product, or alternative designs. GREENZERO Journey provides context where available, but the most important thing is to identify your biggest impacts and focus on reducing those. Start by focusing on the identified hotspots—these are your biggest opportunities for improvement. Consider material substitutions, weight reductions, process changes, or supplier shifts that could reduce impacts. Document your current results as a baseline, then track improvements over time. Remember that environmental footprinting is an iterative process. Your first assessment establishes a baseline, and you can continuously refine and improve both your data and your product's environmental performance over time. # Interpreting Environmental Assessment Results Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/interpreting-results A beginner's guide to understanding and acting on your environmental assessment results Once GREENZERO Journey has generated an environmental assessment for your product, you'll be presented with a wealth of information. This guide helps you understand what the results mean and how to use them to drive environmental improvements. ## Understanding Your Results Dashboard The results dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of your product's environmental performance: The monetized value of all environmental impacts combined, expressed in euros. This single figure makes it easy to compare different products or design options. Shows how your product performs across all eight environmental impact categories, highlighting which impacts are most significant. Identifies materials, components, or processes that contribute most significantly to environmental impacts. Suggests potential changes that could reduce environmental impacts based on your specific product profile. ## Making Sense of Impact Categories Each impact category measures a different type of environmental effect. Here's how to interpret the results for each category: ### Climate Change (GWP) Measures your product's contribution to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. Higher values indicate greater potential to warm the climate. kg CO₂ equivalent (kg CO₂e) This means "equivalent to X kilograms of carbon dioxide in warming potential." For reference: - Producing 1 kg of plastic typically generates 2-3 kg CO₂e - Producing 1 kg of aluminum typically generates 8-16 kg CO₂e - Producing 1 kg of cotton fabric typically generates 5-10 kg CO₂e * Energy-intensive materials or processes - Long-distance transportation - Materials derived from fossil fuels ### Acidification Measures emissions that can cause acid rain, which damages ecosystems, buildings, and water bodies. kg SO₂ equivalent (kg SO₂e) This means "equivalent to X kilograms of sulfur dioxide in acidification potential." Often associated with: - Combustion of fossil fuels - Metal production processes - Agricultural activities * Materials requiring intensive energy from fossil fuels - Metal components, especially those with minimal recycled content - Agricultural products with heavy fertilizer use ### Freshwater Eutrophication Measures excess nutrients (particularly phosphorus) released to freshwater that cause excessive algae growth, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life. kg P equivalent (kg P e) This means "equivalent to X kilograms of phosphorus in eutrophication potential." Often associated with: - Agricultural runoff from fertilizers - Wastewater from manufacturing - Certain mining activities * Agricultural materials (especially cotton, leather) - Materials with water-intensive processing - Mining-intensive materials ### Marine Eutrophication Similar to freshwater eutrophication but specifically for marine environments, focusing on nitrogen compounds. kg N equivalent (kg N e) This means "equivalent to X kilograms of nitrogen in marine eutrophication potential." Often associated with: - Agricultural activities - Wastewater discharge - Combustion processes * Similar sources as freshwater eutrophication - Often correlates with acidification impacts ### Summer Smog (Photochemical Ozone Creation) Measures emissions that can form ground-level ozone and smog, causing respiratory problems and plant damage. kg NOx equivalent (kg NOx e) This means "equivalent to X kilograms of nitrogen oxides in smog formation potential." Often associated with: - Transportation emissions - Solvent use - Certain manufacturing processes * Transportation modes and distances - Materials requiring solvent-based processing - Petroleum-based materials ### Ozone Depletion Measures substances that damage the Earth's protective ozone layer. kg CFC-11 equivalent (kg CFC-11e) This means "equivalent to X kilograms of CFC-11 (a refrigerant) in ozone depletion potential." Often associated with: - Refrigerants - Foam blowing agents - Some solvents and cleaning agents * Refrigeration in the supply chain - Foam insulation materials - Certain cleaning processes ### Water Use Measures the volume of freshwater consumed throughout the product life cycle. m³ (cubic meters) 1 m³ equals 1,000 liters of water. Often associated with: - Agricultural products (especially cotton, leather) - Paper and pulp production - Textile processing * Natural fiber materials - Water-intensive manufacturing processes - Products with water-intensive use phases ### Land Use Measures the amount of land transformed or occupied for a product's life cycle. m² yr (square meter years) This represents one square meter of land used for one year. Often associated with: - Agricultural products - Forestry products - Mining activities * Natural materials from agriculture or forestry - Materials requiring extensive mining - Products with large physical footprints ## Understanding Environmental Costs GREENZERO Journey converts environmental impacts into monetary values using CE Delft cost factors. This makes it easier to: 1. **Compare Different Impact Types**: By converting diverse impacts to a common unit (euros) 2. **Communicate with Non-Experts**: Financial values are widely understood 3. **Integrate with Business Decisions**: Environmental costs can be considered alongside traditional costs Environmental costs represent the estimated societal cost of environmental damages, not direct costs to your business. However, they can indicate future financial risks as environmental regulations tighten. ## Analyzing Hotspots The hotspots analysis identifies the materials, components, or processes that contribute most significantly to your product's environmental impact. This is one of the most valuable parts of your assessment: Look for materials or components that appear repeatedly across multiple impact categories. These represent your biggest improvement opportunities. For each hotspot, examine why it has high impacts: - Is it due to the material type? - Is it because of the quantity used? - Is it related to a specific manufacturing process? - Is it due to transportation distance or mode? Focus first on hotspots that: - Contribute to multiple impact categories - Have readily available alternatives - Can be addressed without compromising product function The Pareto principle (80/20 rule) often applies to environmental impacts—roughly 80% of impacts typically come from 20% of materials or processes. Focus your improvement efforts on these key hotspots. ## Interpreting Data Quality Indicators GREENZERO Journey provides information about the quality and reliability of your assessment results: Indicates how much of your product is covered by the assessment. Higher completeness means more comprehensive results. **What to look for**: Aim for at least 95% completeness for reliable results. If completeness is lower, focus on adding information for significant materials first. Indicates how well the environmental profiles match your specific materials and processes. **What to look for**: Higher quality scores mean more reliable results. If quality is lower for significant materials, consider providing more specific information about those materials. Shows the potential variation in results based on data quality and methodological choices. **What to look for**: Wider uncertainty ranges indicate less precise results. However, even with uncertainty, the relative importance of different hotspots is usually reliable. ## From Insights to Action The ultimate goal of environmental assessment is to drive improvements. Here's how to translate your results into action: Replace high-impact materials with environmentally preferable alternatives. **Example**: Switching from virgin to recycled plastic, or from conventional to organic cotton. Reduce the amount of material used while maintaining functionality. **Example**: Lightweighting packaging or optimizing product design to use less material. Improve manufacturing processes to reduce energy, water, or resource consumption. **Example**: Implementing more efficient dyeing processes for textiles. Work with suppliers to reduce impacts in your supply chain. **Example**: Selecting suppliers with renewable energy or requesting specific environmental improvements. Optimize logistics to reduce transportation impacts. **Example**: Switching from air to sea freight or sourcing materials closer to manufacturing. Increase product lifespan to reduce the environmental impact per use. **Example**: Improving durability or making products repairable. ## Communicating Results Environmental assessment results can be valuable for both internal decision-making and external communication: ### Internal Communication * **Executive Summaries**: Focus on total environmental cost and top hotspots * **Technical Deep Dives**: Provide detailed breakdowns for R\&D and sustainability teams * **Comparative Analyses**: Show how different products or designs compare ### External Communication * **Sustainability Reports**: Share aggregated portfolio performance * **Marketing Materials**: Highlight specific environmental achievements * **Customer Communications**: Provide transparent information about product impacts When communicating environmental claims externally, ensure they are specific, accurate, and substantiated by your assessment results. Avoid vague terms like "eco-friendly" without specific evidence. ## Next Steps After interpreting your first assessment results: 1. **Create an Improvement Plan**: Prioritize actions based on hotspots and feasibility 2. **Model Improvement Scenarios**: Use GREENZERO Journey to simulate the effects of potential changes 3. **Implement Changes**: Make the most promising improvements to your product 4. **Reassess**: Generate a new assessment to measure your progress 5. **Expand Scope**: Apply what you've learned to other products in your portfolio Environmental improvement is a journey, not a destination. Start with the changes that offer the biggest benefits, then continuously refine and improve your products over time. # Introduction to Environmental Footprinting Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/introduction A beginner's guide to understanding environmental footprinting concepts and terminology Welcome to the beginner's guide to environmental footprinting! If you're new to measuring environmental impacts, this section will help you understand the key concepts, terminology, and processes involved in assessing a product's environmental footprint. ## What is Environmental Footprinting? Environmental footprinting is the process of measuring the environmental impacts associated with a product, service, organization, or activity throughout its life cycle. It helps identify where environmental impacts occur and provides insights for improvement. Think of an environmental footprint as a way to measure the "environmental cost" of making, using, and disposing of a product—similar to how a financial budget tracks monetary costs. ## Why Measure Environmental Footprints? Organizations measure environmental footprints for several important reasons: Discover which materials, processes, or life cycle stages have the highest environmental impact, creating opportunities for targeted improvements. Compare different design options, materials, or suppliers based on their environmental performance. Respond to growing demands from customers, investors, and regulators for environmental transparency and responsibility. Establish baselines and monitor improvements in environmental performance as changes are implemented. ## Environmental Footprinting Basics ### The Product Life Cycle Environmental footprinting considers impacts across the entire life cycle of a product: Mining, harvesting, or collecting the raw materials needed to make the product. Converting raw materials into usable forms (e.g., turning bauxite into aluminum). Assembling materials and components into the final product. Transporting the product from factory to retailer to consumer. The period when the consumer is using the product. What happens when the product is no longer used (disposal, recycling, etc.). ### Types of Environmental Impacts Environmental footprinting measures multiple types of impacts, not just carbon emissions. GREENZERO Journey tracks eight key environmental impact categories: Measures how much a product contributes to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. **Example**: The carbon dioxide released when burning fossil fuels to power manufacturing equipment. **Measured in**: kg CO₂ equivalent Measures emissions that can cause acid rain, which damages ecosystems, buildings, and water bodies. **Example**: Sulfur dioxide released from burning coal or oil. **Measured in**: kg SO₂ equivalent Measures nutrients released to freshwater that cause excessive algae growth, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life. **Example**: Phosphorus from fertilizers washing into lakes and rivers. **Measured in**: kg P equivalent Similar to freshwater eutrophication but specifically for marine environments. **Example**: Nitrogen from agricultural runoff reaching oceans. **Measured in**: kg N equivalent Measures emissions that can form ground-level ozone and smog, causing respiratory problems. **Example**: Nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhaust. **Measured in**: kg NOx equivalent Measures substances that damage the Earth's protective ozone layer. **Example**: Certain refrigerants and aerosol propellants. **Measured in**: kg CFC-11 equivalent Measures the volume of freshwater consumed throughout the product life cycle. **Example**: Water used in manufacturing processes or growing agricultural products. **Measured in**: m³ (cubic meters) Measures the amount of land transformed or occupied for a product's life cycle. **Example**: Forest cleared for agriculture or mining. **Measured in**: m² yr (square meter years) ## How GREENZERO Journey Makes Environmental Footprinting Accessible Traditional environmental footprinting requires specialized expertise, extensive data collection, and complex calculations. GREENZERO Journey simplifies this process through: * **Automated Data Collection**: The AI extracts relevant product information from various sources * **Built-in Environmental Database**: Access to thousands of materials and their environmental profiles * **Guided Process**: Step-by-step workflow that helps you document your product accurately * **Visual Results**: Clear visualization of impacts and hotspots * **Improvement Recommendations**: Actionable suggestions to reduce environmental impacts ## Next Steps in This Guide If you're new to environmental footprinting, we recommend following these steps: 1. Continue with [Environmental Footprinting Terminology](/beginners-guide/terminology) to understand key terms 2. Learn about [Life Cycle Assessment Basics](/beginners-guide/lca-basics) to understand the methodology 3. Explore [Your First Environmental Assessment](/beginners-guide/first-assessment) for a step-by-step walkthrough 4. Check out [Interpreting Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) to understand what the numbers mean 5. Review [Common Questions](/beginners-guide/faq) for answers to frequently asked questions Remember, you don't need to be an environmental expert to use GREENZERO Journey effectively. The platform is designed to guide you through the process and provide meaningful insights regardless of your prior experience with environmental footprinting. # Life Cycle Assessment Basics Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/lca-basics Understanding the fundamentals of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for beginners Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the scientific methodology behind environmental footprinting. This guide explains the core principles of LCA in simple terms to help you understand how GREENZERO Journey calculates environmental impacts. ## What is Life Cycle Assessment? Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a structured, comprehensive method to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle—from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling. Think of LCA as an environmental accounting system that tracks all the "environmental costs" of a product, just as financial accounting tracks monetary costs. ## The Four Phases of LCA According to ISO 14040 and 14044 (the international standards for LCA), a proper LCA consists of four distinct phases: Determining what you're studying and why. This includes: - **Purpose**: Why you're conducting the LCA - **Functional Unit**: The specific unit of analysis (e.g., "one t-shirt worn 50 times") * **System Boundaries**: Which life cycle stages are included - **Impact Categories**: Which environmental impacts you'll measure GREENZERO Journey automatically sets appropriate system boundaries and includes eight key impact categories for comprehensive assessment. Collecting data on all inputs and outputs for each process in the product system: - **Inputs**: Raw materials, energy, water, land - **Outputs**: Emissions to air, water, and soil; waste This is where your Bill of Materials (BOM) plays a crucial role—it provides the foundation for the inventory analysis. GREENZERO Journey's AI matches your materials to its database of environmental profiles, automating the most data-intensive part of LCA. Converting inventory data into potential environmental impacts: 1. **Classification**: Assigning inventory results to impact categories 2. **Characterization**: Converting results to common units within each category 3. **Normalization**: (Optional) Comparing results to reference values 4. **Weighting**: (Optional) Applying value-based weights to different impacts GREENZERO Journey handles all these calculations automatically and presents results in both scientific units and monetized environmental costs. Analyzing results to identify significant issues, evaluate completeness and consistency, and draw conclusions: - **Hotspot Analysis**: Identifying major contributors to impacts - **Sensitivity Analysis**: Testing how changes affect results - **Uncertainty Analysis**: Understanding the reliability of results - **Conclusions and Recommendations**: Determining actions based on findings GREENZERO Journey provides visual interpretations and highlights hotspots to help you understand where to focus improvement efforts. ## Key LCA Concepts for Beginners ### System Boundaries System boundaries define which processes are included in your LCA. Common approaches include: The complete life cycle from raw material extraction through disposal. **When to use**: For comprehensive understanding of total environmental impacts. From raw material extraction to the factory gate (before distribution to consumer). **When to use**: For B2B products or when you don't control the use and disposal phases. Only the manufacturing phase. **When to use**: For understanding just your direct operations. Includes recycling and reuse processes in a closed-loop system. **When to use**: For circular economy approaches. GREENZERO Journey typically uses a cradle-to-gate approach by default, as this covers the phases most companies have direct influence over. The system can be expanded to include use and end-of-life phases when relevant data is available. ### Functional Unit The functional unit is the reference unit for which environmental impacts are calculated. It defines: 1. **What** the product does (function) 2. **How much** of that function is provided (quantity) 3. **How well** it performs (quality) 4. **For how long** it provides that function (duration) Examples of functional units: * "Wearing a t-shirt for one day" * "Packaging and preserving 1 liter of beverage for 6 months" * "Providing illumination of 800 lumens for 10,000 hours" A well-defined functional unit ensures fair comparisons between different products that serve the same function. For example, comparing a plastic bottle to a glass bottle should be based on the same volume of beverage packaged. ### Allocation Allocation is the process of dividing environmental impacts between multiple products from the same process. For example: * How to divide impacts between milk and leather from dairy farming * How to assign impacts to main products versus by-products * How to handle recycling between product systems GREENZERO Journey handles allocation automatically using standard methodologies, but you can adjust these settings for specific cases if needed. ### Data Quality The reliability of LCA results depends heavily on data quality. Key considerations include: * **Primary vs. Secondary Data**: Direct measurements vs. database values * **Temporal Relevance**: How recent the data is * **Geographic Relevance**: Whether data represents the correct region * **Technological Relevance**: Whether data represents the correct processes GREENZERO Journey uses the most appropriate data available and clearly indicates data quality and uncertainty in results. ## How GREENZERO Journey Simplifies LCA Traditional LCA requires specialized expertise, extensive data collection, and complex calculations. GREENZERO Journey makes LCA accessible by: AI extracts product information from descriptions, websites, or files. Access to thousands of materials and their environmental profiles. Consistent application of ISO 14040/44 principles. Clear visualization of impacts and hotspots. Full visibility into how results are calculated. Actionable suggestions to reduce environmental impacts. ## Common LCA Limitations to Be Aware Of While LCA is a powerful tool, it's important to understand its limitations: 1. **Data Uncertainty**: Environmental data often has inherent uncertainty 2. **Methodological Choices**: Different methodological choices can lead to different results 3. **Temporal Limitations**: LCA provides a snapshot in time and may not reflect future changes 4. **Geographic Generalization**: Data may not perfectly represent specific locations 5. **Impact Coverage**: Not all environmental impacts can be quantified GREENZERO Journey addresses these limitations through transparent reporting of data quality, clear methodology documentation, and continuous updates to its environmental database. ## Next Steps Now that you understand the basics of LCA, you're ready to: 1. Learn how to conduct [Your First Environmental Assessment](/beginners-guide/first-assessment) 2. Understand how to [Interpret Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) 3. Explore [Common Questions](/beginners-guide/faq) about environmental footprinting Remember that GREENZERO Journey handles the technical complexities of LCA for you. You don't need to be an LCA expert to get valuable insights from the platform. # Learning Paths Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/learning-paths Guided learning paths for different user types and goals in GREENZERO Journey Welcome to GREENZERO Journey's learning paths! We've created these guided pathways to help you navigate our documentation based on your role, experience level, and specific goals. Choose the path that best matches your needs to get started quickly and effectively. ## Choose Your Path New to environmental footprinting and sustainability concepts Experienced in sustainability but new to GREENZERO Journey Focused on integrating sustainability into product design Seeking strategic insights and business value from environmental data ## Beginner Path If you're new to environmental footprinting and sustainability concepts, this path will guide you through the fundamentals before diving into the platform. Start with these foundational concepts: - [Introduction to Environmental Footprinting](/beginners-guide/introduction) - [Environmental Footprinting Terminology](/beginners-guide/terminology) - [Life Cycle Assessment Basics](/beginners-guide/lca-basics) Get familiar with GREENZERO Journey: - [Quickstart Guide](/quickstart) - [Account Creation](/account-management/account-creation) - [Platform Overview](/index) Follow these steps to conduct your first environmental assessment: - [Your First Environmental Assessment](/beginners-guide/first-assessment) - [Product Management Overview](/product-management/overview) - [Bill of Materials Basics](/product-management/bill-of-materials) Learn how to interpret and use your assessment results: - [Interpreting Environmental Assessment Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) - [Global Warming Potential](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) (as an example impact category) - [Portfolio Insights](/insights/portfolio-insights) Start making improvements based on your insights: - [Common Questions](/beginners-guide/faq) (see "Taking Action" section) - Revisit [Interpreting Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see "From Insights to Action" section) Don't try to learn everything at once! Environmental footprinting has many concepts and methodologies. Focus on understanding the basics first, then gradually build your knowledge as you use the platform. ## Sustainability Professional Path If you're already familiar with sustainability concepts but new to GREENZERO Journey, this path will help you quickly leverage the platform's capabilities. Get acquainted with GREENZERO Journey's approach: - [Platform Introduction](/index) - [Quickstart Guide](/quickstart) - [Account Setup](/account-management/account-creation) Understand the technical foundation: - [Life Cycle Assessment in GREENZERO Journey](/key-concepts/lca) (focus on the "LCA in GREENZERO Journey" section) - [Impact Categories](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) (explore all eight categories) - [Environmental Cost Methodology](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see "Understanding Environmental Costs" section) Learn how to effectively manage products in the system: - [Product Management Overview](/product-management/overview) - [Bill of Materials Management](/product-management/bill-of-materials) - [Packaging Documentation](/product-management/packaging) Discover advanced analysis capabilities: - [Portfolio Insights](/insights/portfolio-insights) - [Interpreting Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (focus on "Analyzing Hotspots" and "Data Quality Indicators") - [Communicating Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see "Communicating Results" section) As a sustainability professional, you might want to explore the FAQ section for technical questions about methodology, data sources, and customization options. ## Product Developer Path If you're focused on integrating sustainability into product design and development, this path will help you use GREENZERO Journey to inform design decisions. Get started with the essential platform features: - [Quickstart Guide](/quickstart) - [Product Management Overview](/product-management/overview) Learn how to effectively document products: - [Bill of Materials Management](/product-management/bill-of-materials) - [Packaging Documentation](/product-management/packaging) - [Your First Environmental Assessment](/beginners-guide/first-assessment) Understand how to analyze environmental impacts: - [Interpreting Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) - [Impact Categories](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) (focus on categories most relevant to your products) - [Hotspot Analysis](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see "Analyzing Hotspots" section) Use insights to improve product design: - [From Insights to Action](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see this section) - [FAQ: Taking Action](/beginners-guide/faq) (see "Taking Action" section) - [Material Substitution Strategies](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see "Material Substitution" in "From Insights to Action") For product developers, it's particularly valuable to understand how different materials and design choices affect environmental impacts. Pay special attention to the hotspot analysis to identify the biggest opportunities for improvement. ## Business Leader Path If you're a business leader looking to understand the strategic value of environmental assessment, this path will help you focus on the business aspects of sustainability. Understand how environmental assessment creates business value: - [Introduction to Environmental Footprinting](/beginners-guide/introduction) (focus on "Why Measure Environmental Footprints") - [Platform Introduction](/index) (see "Key Platform Features") Set up your organization effectively: - [Account Creation](/account-management/account-creation) - [Organisation Management](/organisation-management/organisation-creation) - [Adding Team Members](/organisation-management/add-members) Learn how to manage and analyze your product portfolio: - [Product Management Overview](/product-management/overview) - [Portfolio Insights](/insights/portfolio-insights) - [Brand Management](/product-management/brands) Use environmental data for strategic decisions: - [Environmental Costs](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see "Understanding Environmental Costs") - [FAQ: Business Decisions](/beginners-guide/faq) (see "How can I use environmental footprint data in business decisions") - [Communicating Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see this section) As a business leader, focus on how environmental assessment can drive business value through risk reduction, cost savings, innovation, and enhanced brand reputation. The environmental cost framework is particularly useful for integrating sustainability into business decision-making. ## Custom Learning Paths Need a more tailored approach? Here are some custom paths for specific goals: ### Quick Start for Immediate Assessment If you need to conduct an assessment quickly: 1. [Quickstart Guide](/quickstart) 2. [Import by Description](/snippets/import-by-description) 3. [Your First Environmental Assessment](/beginners-guide/first-assessment) 4. [Interpreting Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) ### Deep Dive into Methodology If you want to understand the scientific foundation: 1. [Life Cycle Assessment Basics](/beginners-guide/lca-basics) 2. [Environmental Footprinting Terminology](/beginners-guide/terminology) 3. [Impact Categories](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) (explore all eight categories) 4. [FAQ: Technical Questions](/beginners-guide/faq) (see this section) ### Focus on Communication If you need to communicate environmental performance: 1. [Interpreting Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) 2. [Communicating Results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) (see this section) 3. [Portfolio Insights](/insights/portfolio-insights) 4. [FAQ: External Communication](/beginners-guide/faq) (see "Can I use GREENZERO Journey results for external communication?") These learning paths are suggestions to help you navigate the documentation efficiently. Feel free to explore other sections based on your specific interests and needs. If you need personalized guidance, contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). # PCF vs LCA: Understanding Environmental Assessment Methodologies Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/pcf-vs-lca Comprehensive guide to Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodologies Understanding the differences between Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is crucial for making informed decisions about environmental impact assessment. ## What is a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)? A Product Carbon Footprint quantifies the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to disposal. PCF calculations typically include emissions from: * Raw material extraction and processing * Manufacturing and production * Distribution and transportation * Use phase * End-of-life (disposal, recycling, or reuse) ### Real-World Example: T-shirt Carbon Footprint To understand PCF in practice, let's consider a common product: a cotton t-shirt. Let's walk through a simplified PCF calculation for a cotton t-shirt: * **Product**: 150g cotton t-shirt - **Functional unit**: One t-shirt used for 50 washes - **System boundary**: Cradle-to-grave (cotton farming through disposal) * Cotton farming: 0.25 kg cotton fiber - Yarn production: 0.15 kWh electricity per t-shirt - Fabric production: 0.3 kWh electricity per t-shirt - Dyeing: 0.5 kWh electricity, 2 liters water per t-shirt - Manufacturing: 0.2 kWh electricity per t-shirt - Transport: 5,000 km by container ship, 500 km by truck - Use phase: 50 washes at 40°C, machine drying - End-of-life: Landfill disposal * Cotton cultivation: 1.8 kg CO₂e per kg cotton - Electricity: 0.5 kg CO₂e per kWh - Sea transport: 0.015 kg CO₂e per tonne-km - Truck transport: 0.095 kg CO₂e per tonne-km - Washing & drying: 0.1 kg CO₂e per wash - Landfill textile waste: 0.3 kg CO₂e per kg * Cotton: 0.25 kg × 1.8 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.45 kg CO₂e - Manufacturing: 1.15 kWh × 0.5 kg CO₂e/kWh \= 0.58 kg CO₂e - Transport: 0.15 kg CO₂e (simplified calculation) - Use phase: 50 washes × 0.1 kg CO₂e/wash = 5.0 kg CO₂e - End-of-life: 0.15 kg × 0.3 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.05 kg CO₂e - **Total PCF**: 6.23 kg CO₂e This example shows that for a t-shirt, the use phase (washing and drying) often contributes the most to its carbon footprint—a valuable insight for improvement strategies. GREENZERO Journey performs these calculations automatically with much greater detail and accuracy. ### PCF vs. Carbon Neutrality vs. Net Zero * **Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)**: The measurement of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a specific product - **Carbon Neutral Product**: A product where emissions have been calculated and then offset through carbon credits or removal projects - **Net Zero Product**: A product where emissions have been reduced as much as possible, and only residual emissions are neutralized through carbon removal (not just offsetting) GREENZERO Journey helps you first establish your PCF baseline, which is essential before making carbon neutral or net zero claims. ## What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling. Unlike PCF, which focuses solely on greenhouse gas emissions, LCA considers multiple environmental impact categories simultaneously, providing a comprehensive view of environmental performance. ### Real-World Example: T-shirt LCA vs PCF Building on the PCF example above, let's see how a full LCA expands the analysis to include multiple environmental impact categories for the same cotton t-shirt. While the PCF showed us the carbon footprint (6.23 kg CO₂e), an LCA reveals the complete environmental picture: * **Product**: 150g cotton t-shirt - **Functional unit**: One t-shirt used for 50 washes - **System boundary**: Cradle-to-grave (cotton farming through disposal) - **PCF Result**: 6.23 kg CO₂e (from previous calculation) Using the same activity data, LCA calculates impacts across all eight categories: **Climate Change (GWP)**: 6.23 kg CO₂e *(already calculated in PCF)* **Water Use**: 2,720 liters - Cotton cultivation: 2,700 L (irrigation and processing) - Dyeing: 15 L (process water) - Washing: 5 L (50 washes × 0.1 L additional water per wash) **Land Use**: 3.2 m² yr - Cotton cultivation: 3.1 m² yr (agricultural land occupation) - Manufacturing facilities: 0.1 m² yr **Acidification**: 0.045 kg SO₂e - Electricity generation: 0.025 kg SO₂e - Cotton cultivation (fertilizers): 0.015 kg SO₂e - Transportation: 0.005 kg SO₂e **PCF perspective**: Use phase dominates (80% of carbon impact) **LCA perspective reveals different hotspots**: - **Water Use**: Cotton cultivation dominates (99% of water impact) - **Land Use**: Cotton cultivation dominates (97% of land impact) - **Acidification**: Manufacturing phase leads (55% of acidification) - **Climate Change**: Use phase leads (80% of carbon impact) **PCF conclusion**: Focus on reducing washing frequency and temperature **LCA conclusion**: - For carbon: Focus on use phase (washing/drying efficiency) - For water: Focus on cotton sourcing (organic/recycled cotton) - For land use: Focus on cotton yield improvements - For acidification: Focus on clean energy in manufacturing **Key insight**: Different environmental problems require different solutions! This demonstrates why LCA provides a more complete picture than PCF alone. While PCF might suggest the use phase is the priority, LCA reveals that cotton cultivation is the biggest issue for water and land use impacts. **Trade-off example**: Switching to organic cotton might reduce chemical pollution but could increase land use. LCA helps identify and quantify these trade-offs. GREENZERO Journey automatically calculates all eight impact categories simultaneously, preventing the tunnel vision that can occur when focusing on carbon alone. ## Standards and Methodologies ### PCF Standards PCF calculations follow standardized methodologies such as: * **ISO 14067**: Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products * **GHG Protocol Product Standard**: Comprehensive framework for carbon footprinting * **PAS 2050**: Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services ### LCA Standards LCA follows a structured framework defined by: * **ISO 14040**: Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework * **ISO 14044**: Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines Define the purpose of the assessment, system boundaries, functional unit, and impact categories. A clearly defined functional unit ensures fair comparison between different products or processes. Collect data on all inputs (resources, energy) and outputs (emissions, waste) for each process within the system boundaries. Convert inventory data into potential environmental impacts across selected impact categories. Analyze results, identify significant issues, evaluate completeness and consistency, and draw conclusions. ### PEF Standards The **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** is the European Commission's methodology for measuring environmental performance: * **EU PEF Guide**: Comprehensive methodology covering 16 impact categories * **Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs)**: Sector-specific guidance * Based on LCA principles but with standardized methods and databases ## PCF vs LCA vs PEF: Key Differences **PCF (Product Carbon Footprint)** - Single impact category: Climate change (GWP) - Measures greenhouse gas emissions only - Simpler to calculate and communicate **LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)** - Multiple impact categories (typically 8-16) - Comprehensive environmental assessment - More complex but holistic view **PEF (Product Environmental Footprint)** - 16 standardized impact categories - EU-specific methodology - Harmonized approach across Europe **PCF** - Climate Change (Global Warming Potential) **LCA (GREENZERO Journey)** - Climate Change (GWP) - Acidification - Freshwater Eutrophication - Marine Eutrophication - Summer Smog (Photochemical Ozone Formation) - Ozone Depletion - Water Use - Land Use **PEF** - All LCA categories plus: - Human toxicity (cancer/non-cancer) - Ecotoxicity - Particulate matter formation * Ionizing radiation - Fossil resource scarcity - Mineral resource scarcity **PCF** - Carbon labeling - Carbon footprint reduction - Climate-focused communication - Regulatory compliance (carbon reporting) **LCA** - Product development and optimization - Environmental product declarations (EPDs) - Comparative assertions - Comprehensive sustainability assessment **PEF** - EU regulatory compliance - Green public procurement - EU Ecolabel applications - Standardized environmental communication **PCF** - Lower complexity - Faster to complete - Less data intensive - Easier stakeholder communication **LCA** - Medium to high complexity - Comprehensive data requirements - Longer assessment time - Requires specialized expertise **PEF** - High complexity - Extensive data requirements - Longest assessment time - Requires PEF-specific expertise ## When to Use Each Methodology * Climate impact is your primary concern - You need quick, actionable insights - Carbon labeling or reporting is the goal - Resources are limited - Stakeholder communication needs to be simple * You need comprehensive environmental assessment - Avoiding burden-shifting between impacts is critical - Product development and optimization is the goal - You want to identify all environmental hotspots - Creating EPDs or comparative studies * Operating in the European market - EU regulatory compliance is required - Participating in EU Green Deal initiatives - Seeking EU Ecolabel certification - Need harmonized methodology across EU ## Practical Example: T-shirt Assessment Comparison Let's compare how each methodology would assess a cotton t-shirt: **Focus**: Carbon emissions only **Key Findings**: - Total PCF: 6.23 kg CO₂e - Hotspot: Use phase (washing/drying) - 80% of emissions - Improvement: Consumer education on cold washing **Time to Complete**: 2-3 days **Communication**: "This t-shirt has a carbon footprint of 6.2 kg CO₂e" **Focus**: 8 environmental impact categories **Key Findings**: - Climate: 6.23 kg CO₂e (use phase dominant) - Water use: 2,700 L (cotton growing dominant) - Land use: 5.2 m²yr (cotton growing dominant) - Different hotspots for different impacts **Time to Complete**: 1-2 weeks **Communication**: Comprehensive environmental profile showing trade-offs **Focus**: 16 standardized impact categories **Key Findings**: - All LCA impacts plus human toxicity from pesticides - Particulate matter from energy use - Resource depletion from cotton farming - Most comprehensive view of impacts **Time to Complete**: 2-4 weeks **Communication**: EU-compliant environmental footprint Accurate environmental assessment requires comprehensive data collection across the entire supply chain, which can be challenging but is essential for meaningful results. ## Benefits of Each Approach ### PCF Benefits Pinpoint stages in the product life cycle that contribute most significantly to emissions. Guide product design, material selection, and process optimization to reduce carbon impact. Provide consumers and stakeholders with verified carbon information. Meet regulatory requirements and industry standards for carbon emissions reporting. ### LCA Benefits * **Holistic Assessment**: Considers multiple environmental impact categories, not just carbon emissions * **Hotspot Identification**: Pinpoints processes with the highest environmental impacts across all categories * **Trade-off Analysis**: Helps avoid burden shifting between different environmental impacts * **Innovation Driver**: Guides sustainable product design and process optimization * **Credible Communication**: Provides scientifically sound basis for environmental claims ### PEF Benefits * **Regulatory Alignment**: Meets EU requirements for environmental assessment * **Harmonized Methodology**: Consistent approach across European markets * **Comprehensive Coverage**: Most extensive impact category coverage * **Policy Integration**: Aligned with EU Green Deal and circular economy initiatives ## Environmental Assessment in GREENZERO Journey The GREENZERO Journey platform supports all three methodologies: ### PCF Capabilities * Standardized calculation frameworks aligned with ISO 14067 and GHG Protocol * Access to emission factor databases with thousands of materials and processes * Supply chain collaboration for data collection * Verified PCF reports for disclosure and compliance * Automatic calculation of [environmental costs](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential#environmental-cost) based on carbon emissions ### LCA Capabilities * Comprehensive assessment across eight environmental impact categories * Industry-standard LCA databases and methodologies * Multi-criteria impact assessment preventing burden-shifting * Visual hotspot analysis and interpretation tools * Support for ISO 14040/44 compliant assessments ### Integration Approach Begin your environmental journey with carbon footprinting for quick insights and stakeholder engagement. Develop comprehensive environmental profiles to avoid burden-shifting and optimize across all impacts. Compare environmental performance across your product portfolio using consistent methodologies. Engage suppliers with specific data requests to improve assessment accuracy across all methodologies. ## Making the Right Choice **Recommendation**: Start with PCF for immediate climate insights, then expand to full LCA for comprehensive environmental assessment. Consider PEF if operating in European markets or seeking EU regulatory compliance. While PCF focuses only on climate impact, we recommend conducting a full Life Cycle Assessment to avoid burden-shifting between environmental impact categories. For example, some solutions that reduce carbon emissions might increase water use or land use impacts. When starting your environmental assessment journey, focus first on collecting high-quality primary data for the most impactful processes in your product's life cycle. For guidance on your first assessment, see our [First Assessment Guide](/beginners-guide/first-assessment). The choice between PCF, LCA, and PEF depends on your specific needs, resources, and regulatory context. GREENZERO Journey supports all three approaches, allowing you to start simple and expand your environmental assessment capabilities as needed. # Environmental Footprinting Terminology Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/beginners-guide/terminology A glossary of key terms and concepts for beginners to environmental footprinting This glossary explains common terms and concepts you'll encounter when using GREENZERO Journey and working with environmental footprinting. Understanding these terms will help you navigate the platform more effectively and better interpret your results. ## Core Concepts A structured methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, and end-of-life. **In simple terms**: A way to measure all environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life, from creation to disposal. A measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). PCF is one specific environmental impact category within a broader LCA. **In simple terms**: How much a product contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. A comprehensive list of all materials, components, and quantities required to manufacture a product. In environmental footprinting, the BOM serves as the foundation for calculating environmental impacts. **In simple terms**: A detailed inventory of everything that goes into making your product. Specific types of environmental effects that are measured in an LCA, such as climate change, acidification, or water use. Each category represents a different way that products can affect the environment. **In simple terms**: Different ways to measure how a product affects the environment. The limits that define which processes are included in an LCA study. Common system boundaries include cradle-to-gate (from resource extraction to factory gate) or cradle-to-grave (from resource extraction to disposal). **In simple terms**: The starting and ending points for your environmental analysis. A quantified description of the product system's performance, used as a reference unit in an LCA. For example, "one pair of shoes with a lifetime of two years." **In simple terms**: The standard unit you're measuring, which allows fair comparisons between products. ## Environmental Impact Measurements A metric measure used to compare emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential, using carbon dioxide as a reference. **In simple terms**: A way to express all greenhouse gases in a common unit based on their climate impact. A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere relative to carbon dioxide over a specific time period, typically 100 years. **In simple terms**: How strongly a gas contributes to climate change compared to carbon dioxide. The monetized value of environmental damages, calculated by multiplying environmental impacts by cost factors (such as CE Delft factors in GREENZERO Journey). **In simple terms**: Environmental impacts expressed in monetary terms to make them more comparable and understandable. Conversion factors that translate emissions or resource use into their potential environmental impacts. For example, methane has a characterization factor of 28 for global warming potential, meaning it's 28 times more potent than CO₂. **In simple terms**: Multipliers that convert raw data into environmental impact scores. ## Product Life Cycle Stages The process of obtaining raw materials from nature, such as mining minerals, harvesting trees, or extracting oil. **In simple terms**: Getting natural resources from the environment. Converting raw materials into forms that can be used in manufacturing, such as turning iron ore into steel or crude oil into plastic. **In simple terms**: Refining raw materials into usable materials. The process of making products from materials and components, including assembly, finishing, and packaging. **In simple terms**: Making the final product from processed materials. The transportation and storage of products from the manufacturer to retailers and end users. **In simple terms**: Getting the product from the factory to the customer. The period during which the consumer uses the product, including any resources consumed (e.g., electricity, water) and maintenance. **In simple terms**: How the product is used by customers and what resources it needs. What happens to the product after its useful life, including disposal, recycling, incineration, or composting. **In simple terms**: What happens to the product when it's no longer used. ## GREENZERO Journey Specific Terms A comprehensive set of data about how a specific material affects the environment throughout its life cycle. In technical LCA terminology, this is called "Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)" data. **In simple terms**: A detailed "environmental ID card" for each material in your product. A material, component, or process that contributes significantly to the environmental impact of a product, identified as a priority area for improvement. **In simple terms**: The parts of your product with the biggest environmental impact. A set of monetization factors developed by CE Delft that convert environmental impacts into financial costs, representing the societal cost of environmental damages. **In simple terms**: Conversion rates that translate environmental impacts into euros. Data collected directly from specific processes or suppliers in your supply chain, as opposed to industry averages or estimates. **In simple terms**: Real, specific data from your actual production processes or suppliers. Generic data from databases, literature, or industry averages used when primary data is not available. **In simple terms**: Standard industry data used when you don't have specific information. ## Environmental Impact Categories in GREENZERO Journey Measures the amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. **Measured in**: kg CO₂ equivalent **Example source**: Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, certain industrial processes [Learn more about Global Warming Potential (GWP)](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) Measures emissions that increase the acidity of soil and water when converted to acids in the atmosphere. **Measured in**: kg SO₂ equivalent **Example source**: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels [Learn more about Acidification (AP)](/insights/impact-categories/acidification-potential) Measures excess nutrients in freshwater ecosystems that cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion. **Measured in**: kg P equivalent **Example source**: Phosphorus from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater [Learn more about Freshwater Eutrophication (FEP)](/insights/impact-categories/freshwater-eutrophication-potential) Measures excess nutrients in marine ecosystems that cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion. **Measured in**: kg N equivalent **Example source**: Nitrogen from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater [Learn more about Marine Eutrophication (MEP)](/insights/impact-categories/marine-eutrophication-potential) Measures emissions that react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone and smog. **Measured in**: kg NOx equivalent **Example source**: Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, solvents [Learn more about Photochemical Ozone Creation (POCP)](/insights/impact-categories/photochemical-ozone-creation-potential) Measures substances that destroy the Earth's protective ozone layer. **Measured in**: kg CFC-11 equivalent **Example source**: Certain refrigerants, aerosol propellants, and solvents [Learn more about Ozone Depletion (ODP)](/insights/impact-categories/ozone-depletion-potential) Measures the volume of freshwater consumed throughout the product life cycle. **Measured in**: m³ (cubic meters) **Example source**: Agricultural irrigation, manufacturing processes, product use [Learn more about Water Use (WU)](/insights/impact-categories/water-use) Measures the amount of land transformed or occupied for a product's life cycle. **Measured in**: m² yr (square meter years) **Example source**: Agriculture, forestry, mining, urban development [Learn more about Land Use (LU)](/insights/impact-categories/land-use) This glossary is intended as a starting point for beginners. As you become more familiar with environmental footprinting, you'll develop a deeper understanding of these concepts and how they apply to your specific products and industry. # Billing & Credits Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/billing-credits Understanding how credits are tracked and billed for AI Engine usage Credits are the unit of measurement for AI Engine usage within the platform. They are tracked per organization and provide a transparent way to monitor and manage your resource consumption. ## How Credits Work Credits represent the computational resources consumed when using the AI Engine. Each organization has its own credit balance that reflects their usage across all projects and team members. Credits are allocated to your organization based on your subscription plan or manual top-ups. You can view your current credit balance in the organization dashboard. Credits are consumed whenever you use the AI Engine for tasks such as: - Model training - Inference requests - Data processing operations Different operations consume different amounts of credits based on their computational intensity. All credit usage is tracked in real-time and can be monitored through the dashboard. Set up usage alerts to be notified when your credits reach certain thresholds. ## Credit Consumption Rates Credit consumption varies based on the specific AI Engine operations: ```json Inference theme={null} { "operation": "model_inference", "credit_cost": "0.01 credits per request", "factors": [ "Model complexity", "Input size", "Output tokens generated" ] } ``` ```json Training theme={null} { "operation": "model_training", "credit_cost": "0.05 credits per training step", "factors": ["Dataset size", "Model complexity", "Training duration"] } ``` ```json Data Processing theme={null} { "operation": "data_processing", "credit_cost": "0.02 credits per GB processed", "factors": ["Data volume", "Processing complexity"] } ``` ## Billing Cycle * Credits are billed on a monthly cycle - Usage is calculated from the 1st to the last day of each month - Invoices are generated on the 1st of the following month - Payment is processed automatically using your stored payment method * Standard package: 1,000 credits - Professional package: 5,000 credits - Enterprise package: Custom allocation - Additional credits can be purchased at any time * Depending on your plan, unused credits may roll over to the next billing cycle - Standard plans: Credits expire at the end of the billing cycle - Professional plans: Credits roll over for up to 3 months - Enterprise plans: Custom rollover terms available ## Monitoring Usage The organization dashboard provides detailed insights into credit usage: Credit Usage Dashboard Generate detailed reports on credit consumption across projects and time periods. Access past invoices and payment records for your organization. ## Optimizing Credit Usage Implement these best practices to maximize the efficiency of your credit usage: * Use development environments for testing before running operations in production * Optimize model parameters to reduce unnecessary computation * Implement caching strategies for frequently accessed results * Schedule batch processing during off-peak hours * Regularly review usage patterns to identify optimization opportunities ## Frequently Asked Questions When your organization depletes its credit balance, new AI Engine operations will be paused until you purchase additional credits or your next billing cycle begins (for subscription plans). Additional credits can be purchased through the organization dashboard under "Billing & Credits" → "Purchase Credits". Various package sizes are available to suit your needs. Credits are specific to each organization and cannot be transferred between different organizations. Each organization maintains its own separate credit balance. Complex operations have their credit consumption calculated based on a combination of factors including processing time, data volume, and computational resources required. Detailed breakdowns are available in the usage reports. # Introduction Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/index Welcome to GREENZERO Journey - Automated Life Cycle Assessment Platform GREENZERO Journey is an automated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) platform designed to help businesses measure, understand, and improve the environmental impact of their products. ## Choose Your Path
Our comprehensive beginner's guide will introduce you to environmental footprinting concepts and walk you through using GREENZERO Journey, no prior experience required.
Start with our [Introduction to Environmental Footprinting](/beginners-guide/introduction) to understand key concepts and terminology. Learn about [Life Cycle Assessment basics](/beginners-guide/lca-basics) and how GREENZERO Journey simplifies complex environmental assessments. Follow our step-by-step guide to [conducting your first environmental assessment](/beginners-guide/first-assessment). Find a customized [learning path](/beginners-guide/learning-paths) based on your role and goals.
Set up your account and import your first product quickly. Learn how to manage products, BOMs, and packaging. Analyze and interpret your environmental assessment results. Detailed information on LCA methodology and implementation.
## What GREENZERO Journey Does GREENZERO Journey transforms complex environmental analysis into actionable insights through a powerful combination of AI technology and ISO-compliant LCA methodology. Generate comprehensive environmental assessments from your product data and bills of materials without specialized expertise. Analyze impacts across climate change, acidification, eutrophication, smog, ozone depletion, water use, and land use. Access fully transparent, ISO 14040/44 compliant reasoning behind every calculation and result. Convert environmental impacts into financial costs using CE Delft cost factors for clearer business decision-making. ## Key Platform Features * **AI-Powered Analysis**: Multi-agent system that automatically processes product data and generates accurate LCA results * **Intuitive Interface**: User-friendly dashboard for managing products, viewing results, and identifying improvement opportunities * **Portfolio Insights**: Analyze environmental performance across your entire product range to identify patterns and priorities * **Data-Driven Improvements**: Make informed decisions about product design, material selection, and supply chain optimization ## Common Questions No, GREENZERO Journey is designed for users of all experience levels. Our AI-powered platform handles the complex calculations and methodology, while our [Beginner's Guide](/beginners-guide/introduction) helps you understand the concepts and interpret results. See our [FAQ](/beginners-guide/faq) for more common questions. GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 standards for Life Cycle Assessment and uses industry-standard environmental databases. The accuracy depends on the quality of input data, which is why we provide data quality indicators with all results. Learn more about [interpreting results](/beginners-guide/interpreting-results) and understanding data quality. The fastest way to get started is to: 1. Create an account 2. Import a product (by description, URL, or file upload) 3. Review the generated Bill of Materials 4. Generate your environmental assessment Follow our [Quick Start Guide](/quickstart) or more detailed [First Assessment Guide](/beginners-guide/first-assessment). GREENZERO Journey is continuously evolving with new features and improvements. Our documentation is regularly updated to reflect the latest capabilities and best practices.

If you have questions or need assistance, our support team is ready to help.

Email: [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu)

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# Deep Dive: PEF and Comparison with ReCiPe Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/deep-dive-pef The **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** is a **life-cycle-based method** developed by the European Commission to quantify the environmental impacts of products—from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and disposal. Built on the ISO 14040/44 framework, it provides **standardized rules** for modeling material flows, emissions, and waste to ensure assessments are reproducible, comparable, and verifiable, especially within the EU regulatory and market context. ### **PEF vs. ReCiPe for Impact Assessmnet** **ReCiPe 2016** is a widely used LCA impact assessment method offering **17 midpoint** and **3 endpoint** categories to characterize environmental impacts on climate, ecosystems, human health, and resources. PEF, however, introduces several EU-specific enhancements when compared to standard ReCiPe assessments: 1. **Climate breakdown** * ReCiPe reports overall GWP; PEF separates fossil, biogenic, and land-use CO₂. 2. **Enhanced toxicity modeling** * ReCiPe uses broad toxicity midpoints and endpoints; PEF adds subdivisions for organics vs. inorganics and cancer vs. non-cancer pathways. 3. **Circular economy modeling** * PEF includes the **Circular Footprint Formula** to model recycled content and end-of-life allocation—ReCiPe lacks this feature. 4. **Standardized Category Rules (PEFCRs)** * PEF mandates product-specific rules ensuring consistent system boundaries, data quality, and allocation—ReCiPe offers more flexibility. 5. **Midpoint-only focus** * PEF emphasizes midpoint results (with optional weighting), whereas ReCiPe provides both midpoint and endpoint-level damage indicators. 6. **Reporting & verification** * PEF enforces detailed documentation, transparency, and independent verification—supporting EU policy objectives. ReCiPe is less prescriptive in this regard. **When to Use Which** | **Aspect** | **ReCiPe 2016** | **PEF (EU-focused)** | | :- | :- | :- | | Impact levels | Both midpoint and endpoint | Midpoint only (with optional weighting) | | Climate reporting | Total GWP | Fossil, biogenic, land-use CO₂ split | | Toxicity detail | Broad categories | Detailed toxicity splits | | Circularity | Not included | Yes—via Circular Footprint Formula | | Sector standardization | Flexible | Mandatory via PEFCRs | | Regulatory alignment | Suitable for general/global LCA | Tailored for EU green claims, public procurement, EPDs | ### **PEF vs. ReCiPe for Environmental Cost Calculation – CE Delft Method** While both methods can support environmental monetization, their integration with the **CE Delft environmental prices** differs: * **ReCiPe** is fully incorporated into CE Delft's pricing model, with environmental cost factors available for **16 impact categories**, enabling detailed economic assessments. * **PEF**, on the other hand, is only partially covered—**CE Delft provides prices for just 8 PEF categories**. CE Delft itself **does not recommend using PEF alone** for monetization. In its 2024 *Environmental Prices Handbook – EU27 version v1*, it explicitly states: > “*The EF impact assessment method should be considered complementary to other methods such as ReCiPe 2016.*” *** ## **When to Use Which Method** **Choose ReCiPe 2016 if you need:** * A comprehensive LCA with both **midpoint and endpoint results** * Support for **academic research**, **global product assessments**, or **monetization of impacts** * **Detailed environmental cost calculations** using CE Delft pricing **Opt for PEF if you need:** * **Compliance with EU regulations**, green claims, or participation in **EU schemes** * Precise modeling of **recycled content, circularity**, and **comparability across products** * **Standardized methodology** enforced through PEFCRs and third-party verification ## References * [*European Commission Joint Research Centre. Product Environmental Footprint Methodological Guide*](https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/permalink/EF_method.pdf) * [*RIVM. ReCiPe 2016 Methodology*](https://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/2016-0104.pdf) # Acidification Potential (AP) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/acidification-potential Understanding Acidification Potential (AP) in GREENZERO Journey LCA PEF shortens this to **Acidification** and expresses results in **mol H⁺ eq** rather than the **kg SO₂ eq** used by ReCiPe 2016. Both quantify acidifying emissions; the unit differs because PEF uses hydrogen ion equivalents instead of sulfur dioxide. ## Definition Acidification Potential (AP) measures the ability of a substance to form acid rain, fog, and snow by releasing hydrogen ions into the environment. It is expressed in kilograms of sulfur dioxide equivalent (kg SO₂ eq.) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism Acidification occurs when acidifying pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ammonia (NH₃) are converted to acids after being released into the atmosphere. These acids fall as precipitation or deposit directly onto surfaces, causing: * Soil acidification * Freshwater acidification * Damage to forests and vegetation * Corrosion of buildings and infrastructure * Reduced biodiversity in sensitive ecosystems * Leaching of toxic metals from soil into water bodies ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates AP by: 1. Identifying all acidifying emissions associated with a product throughout its lifecycle 2. Converting each emission to its SO₂ equivalent using characterization factors from ReCiPe 2016 3. Summing all SO₂ equivalents to determine the total AP **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The AP impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for AP: €5.28 per kg SO₂ eq.** This factor represents the societal cost of damage from acidification, including: * Ecosystem damage * Agricultural yield losses * Infrastructure deterioration * Human health impacts from respiratory issues * Reduced biodiversity ## Example Calculation For a product with an AP of 0.5 kg SO₂ eq. per piece: ``` Environmental Cost = AP × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 0.5 kg SO₂ eq. × €5.28/kg SO₂ eq. Environmental Cost = €2.64 per piece ``` ## Interpretation Acidification impacts are typically more localized than global warming impacts but can be severe in affected areas. Key contributors to AP in product lifecycles typically include: * Combustion of fossil fuels (especially coal and heavy oil) * Industrial processes * Agricultural activities (particularly livestock farming) * Transportation emissions * Electricity generation ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce AP include: * Fuel switching to lower-sulfur options * Emission control technologies (scrubbers, catalytic converters) * Process optimization * Reduced fertilizer use in agriculture * Energy efficiency improvements * Renewable energy sourcing ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting AP results, consider: * Regional sensitivity to acidification varies significantly * Emission location is particularly important for this impact * Temporal aspects of emissions * Background deposition levels in affected areas ## Related Impact Categories AP often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Eutrophication Potential * Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential * Human Toxicity Potential ## References * [European Environment Agency - Acidification indicators](https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/acidification) # Ecotoxicity, Freshwater (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/ecotoxicity-freshwater-pef Freshwater ecotoxicity impact category in the PEF methodology This category is assessed only for **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** studies. ## Definition Ecotoxicity, Freshwater measures toxic effects of chemicals on aquatic ecosystems. The unit is **CTUe** (comparative toxic units for ecosystems). ## Environmental Mechanism Toxic substances such as pesticides and heavy metals can harm fish, algae, and other freshwater organisms, disrupting food chains. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Inventory releases of ecotoxic substances to water and soil. 2. Apply ILCD factors to obtain CTUe values. 3. Sum across all stages for the total impact. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. This category is not included in the ReCiPe 2016 set used in Journey by default. ## Environmental Cost Conversion There is currently no CE Delft cost factor for freshwater ecotoxicity. ## Example Calculation ``` Impact = 5 CTUe ``` ## Interpretation Higher values indicate greater potential harm to freshwater ecosystems from toxic releases. ## Reduction Strategies * Substitute hazardous chemicals * Implement wastewater treatment and containment ## Data Quality Considerations * Impact depends strongly on local ecosystem sensitivity ## Related Impact Categories * Water Use # Eutrophication, Terrestrial (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/eutrophication-terrestrial-pef Terrestrial eutrophication impact category in the PEF methodology Only included when using the **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** approach. ## Definition This category measures nutrient enrichment of soils leading to ecosystem disturbances. It is expressed in **mol N eq**. ## Environmental Mechanism Deposition of airborne nitrogen compounds from agriculture and combustion sources can alter plant communities and soil chemistry. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Quantify emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides to air. 2. Apply ILCD characterization factors (mol N eq). 3. Sum across the life cycle. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 aggregates terrestrial eutrophication within Acidification, so this category is unique to PEF. ## Environmental Cost Conversion No CE Delft cost factor is available yet. Results remain in mol N eq. ## Example Calculation ``` Impact = 0.3 mol N eq ``` ## Interpretation High values indicate substantial nitrogen emissions contributing to soil nutrient imbalance. ## Reduction Strategies * Optimize fertilizer use * Reduce NOx emissions from combustion ## Data Quality Considerations * Regional deposition models affect results ## Related Impact Categories * Acidification Potential # Freshwater Eutrophication Potential (FEP) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/freshwater-eutrophication-potential Understanding Freshwater Eutrophication Potential (FEP) in GREENZERO Journey LCA PEF names this category **Eutrophication, freshwater**. The metric and unit (**kg P eq**) are the same as in ReCiPe 2016; only the word “potential” is omitted. ## Definition Freshwater Eutrophication Potential (FEP) measures the enrichment of freshwater ecosystems with nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P), leading to excessive algae growth and subsequent ecosystem degradation. It is expressed in kilograms of phosphorus equivalent (kg P eq.) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism Eutrophication occurs when excessive nutrients enter water bodies, causing: * Algal blooms that block sunlight from reaching underwater plants * Oxygen depletion as algae die and decompose * Death of fish and other aquatic organisms due to oxygen depletion * Reduced biodiversity in affected water bodies * Decreased water quality for human use * Potential toxic algal blooms harmful to humans and wildlife In freshwater ecosystems, phosphorus is typically the limiting nutrient, meaning its addition most directly stimulates algal growth. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates FEP by: 1. Identifying emissions to water bodies throughout a product's lifecycle 2. Converting each emission to its phosphorus equivalent using characterization factors from ReCiPe 2016 3. Summing all phosphorus equivalents to determine the total FEP **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The FEP impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for FEP: €3.74 per kg P eq.** This factor represents the societal cost of damage from freshwater eutrophication, including: * Ecosystem damage and biodiversity loss * Reduced recreational value of water bodies * Water treatment costs * Reduced property values near affected water bodies * Economic impacts on fishing and tourism ## Example Calculation For a product with an FEP of 0.02 kg P eq. per piece: ``` Environmental Cost = FEP × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 0.02 kg P eq. × €3.74/kg P eq. Environmental Cost = €0.07 per piece ``` ## Interpretation Freshwater eutrophication impacts are highly localized but can have severe consequences for affected ecosystems. Key contributors to FEP in product lifecycles typically include: * Agricultural activities (fertilizer runoff) * Wastewater discharge * Detergent use * Food processing * Certain industrial processes ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce FEP include: * Precision agriculture to minimize fertilizer use * Improved wastewater treatment * Buffer zones between agricultural land and water bodies * Phosphorus-free detergents * Process optimization to reduce phosphorus-containing waste * Water recycling in industrial processes ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting FEP results, consider: * Local sensitivity of receiving water bodies * Seasonal variations in impact * Transport mechanisms of phosphorus to water bodies * Background nutrient levels in affected areas ## Related Impact Categories FEP often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Marine Eutrophication Potential * Water Use * Ecotoxicity Potential # Global Warming Potential (GWP) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential Understanding Global Warming Potential (GWP) in GREENZERO Journey LCA In the PEF method this category is called **Climate change**. It measures the same greenhouse gas emissions and also uses the unit **kg CO₂ eq**. The difference is only in terminology and does not affect calculations. ## Definition Global Warming Potential (GWP) measures the amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere by a greenhouse gas relative to carbon dioxide (CO₂). It is expressed in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent (kg CO₂ eq.) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism Greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Each GHG has a different capacity to trap heat and remains in the atmosphere for different periods. The main environmental effects of increased GWP include: * Rising global temperatures * Sea level rise * Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events * Changes in precipitation patterns * Ocean acidification * Biodiversity loss * Agricultural impacts ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates GWP by: 1. Identifying all greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its lifecycle 2. Converting each gas to its CO₂ equivalent using characterization factors from ReCiPe 2016 3. Summing all CO₂ equivalents to determine the total GWP **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The GWP impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for GWP: €0.13 per kg CO₂ eq.** This factor represents the societal cost of damage from climate change, including: * Economic damage from sea level rise * Agricultural losses * Human health impacts * Extreme weather events * Biodiversity loss ## Example Calculation For a product with a GWP of 10 kg CO₂ eq. per piece: ``` Environmental Cost = GWP × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 10 kg CO₂ eq. × €0.13/kg CO₂ eq. Environmental Cost = €1.30 per piece ``` ## Interpretation GWP is often the most recognized environmental impact category and frequently dominates the total environmental cost of products. Key contributors to GWP in product lifecycles typically include: * Energy consumption (especially from fossil fuels) * Transportation emissions * Agricultural processes (particularly for food products) * Chemical manufacturing processes * Waste management emissions ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce GWP include: * Energy efficiency improvements * Renewable energy sourcing * Material reduction or substitution * Process optimization * Transportation mode shifts * Carbon offsetting (as a last resort) ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting GWP results, consider: * Data age and geographic relevance * System boundary definitions * Allocation methods used * Uncertainty in emission factors ## Related Impact Categories GWP often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential * Acidification Potential * Fossil Resource Depletion ## References * [IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Synthesis](https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/) # Human Toxicity, Cancer (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/human-toxicity-cancer-pef Cancer-related human toxicity impact category in the PEF methodology This impact category is only evaluated when using the **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** methodology. ## Definition Human Toxicity, Cancer quantifies the potential for emitted substances to cause cancer in humans. Results are expressed in **CTUh** (comparative toxic units for humans). ## Environmental Mechanism Carcinogenic pollutants released to air, water, and soil can increase lifetime cancer risk for exposed populations through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Identify all emissions of carcinogenic substances across the life cycle. 2. Multiply by ILCD characterization factors to obtain CTUh values. 3. Sum across processes for the total impact. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 does not include this impact category, so no direct unit conversion is available. ## Environmental Cost Conversion At present there is no CE Delft cost factor for this category, so the impact is reported only in CTUh. ## Example Calculation If a product emits substances amounting to **1e-6 CTUh**: ``` Impact = 1e-6 CTUh ``` ## Interpretation High values indicate greater potential for cancer effects among exposed populations. Key drivers include heavy metals and certain organic chemicals. ## Reduction Strategies * Substitute carcinogenic materials * Implement emission controls ## Data Quality Considerations * Toxicity factors may vary by region and exposure scenario ## Related Impact Categories * Human Toxicity, Non-Cancer (PEF) # Human Toxicity, Non-Cancer (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/human-toxicity-non-cancer-pef Non-cancer human toxicity impact category in the PEF methodology This impact category is only applicable with the **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** methodology. ## Definition Human Toxicity, Non-Cancer assesses the potential for substances to cause non-cancer health effects. The unit is **CTUh**. ## Environmental Mechanism Exposure to toxic pollutants can lead to chronic respiratory, neurological, or reproductive issues. Releases occur via air, water, and soil pathways. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Collect emissions of non-carcinogenic toxic substances. 2. Multiply by ILCD characterization factors (CTUh). 3. Sum the results for the total impact. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 does not cover this impact category, so PEF results are provided separately. ## Environmental Cost Conversion No CE Delft cost factor is currently available; the impact is reported in CTUh. ## Example Calculation For an emission total of **2e-6 CTUh** the result is simply: ``` Impact = 2e-6 CTUh ``` ## Interpretation Higher values signal greater potential for non-cancer health issues. Key drivers include solvents and heavy metals. ## Reduction Strategies * Replace hazardous substances * Improve workplace and community emissions controls ## Data Quality Considerations * Local exposure patterns strongly influence actual risk ## Related Impact Categories * Human Toxicity, Cancer (PEF) # Ionizing Radiation (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/ionizing-radiation-pef Ionizing radiation impact category in the PEF methodology This impact category is specific to the **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** methodology. ## Definition Ionizing Radiation quantifies potential human health damage from radioactive emissions. The unit is **kBq U‑235 eq** (kilo Becquerel Uranium‑235 equivalents). ## Environmental Mechanism Nuclear fuel cycles and medical isotope production release radionuclides that may expose workers and the public to harmful radiation doses. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Record radioactive releases over the life cycle. 2. Multiply by ILCD characterization factors (kBq U‑235 eq). 3. Sum for the total impact. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 does not cover ionizing radiation, so these results stand alone in PEF assessments. ## Environmental Cost Conversion A CE Delft cost factor has not yet been established for this category. ## Example Calculation ``` Impact = 50 kBq U-235 eq ``` ## Interpretation This category indicates potential health risk from radioactive substances. Values are typically low except for products involving nuclear energy. ## Reduction Strategies * Source renewable energy rather than nuclear where feasible * Ensure strict control of radioactive materials ## Data Quality Considerations * Local exposure pathways and shielding strongly influence impacts ## Related Impact Categories * Human toxicity categories # Land Use (LU) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/land-use Understanding Land Use (LU) in GREENZERO Journey LCA PEF uses the same name but expresses results in **Pt** (points) representing soil quality changes, whereas ReCiPe 2016 uses **m² yr**. This change captures land quality more explicitly in PEF. ## Definition Land Use (LU) measures the occupation and transformation of land for human activities related to a product's lifecycle. Land use is expressed by the unit m2\*year **crop** equivalents and refers to the **relative species loss** caused by a specific land use (relative to equivalent cropland ## Environmental Mechanism Land use for human activities affects ecosystems through: * Habitat loss and fragmentation * Reduced biodiversity * Altered soil quality and structure * Changes in carbon sequestration capacity * Modified water cycles and runoff patterns * Landscape aesthetic changes * Ecosystem service disruption Land use impacts vary based on the previous state of the land, the type and intensity of use, and the duration of occupation. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates Land Use by: 1. Identifying land use, which covers the process of land transformation, land occupation and land relaxation.   2. Applying characterization factors: ReCiPe provides characterization factors (CFs) for these impact mechanisms. CFs for the impact of land transformation and occupation are based on relative species losses calculated by De Baan et al. (2013) and Elshout et al. (2014). CFs for land relaxation are calculated based on the model from Köllner et al. (2007), using recovery times from Curran et al. (2014).  the midpoint characterization factor (in annual crop equivalents) for land transformation/occupation is based on the relative species loss caused by a cpecific land use type, proportionate to the relative species loss resulting from annual crop production.  the midpoint characterization factor for land relaxation to a (semi-)natural state (in annual crop equivalent·yr) is derived from model provided by Köllner et al.  3. Summing the total land use expressed in m2\*year  crop equivalents **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The Land Use impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for Land Use: €0.099 per m² yr** This factor represents the societal cost of land occupation, including: * Biodiversity loss * Ecosystem service reduction * Reduced carbon sequestration * Soil degradation * Reduced recreational value * Cultural and aesthetic impacts ## Example Calculation For a product with a Land Use of 5 m² yr per piece: Environmental Cost = LU × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 5 m² yr × €0.099/m² yr Environmental Cost = €0.50 per piece ## Interpretation Land use impacts are often dominated by agricultural activities for bio-based materials. Key contributors to Land Use in product lifecycles typically include: * Agricultural land for raw materials (crops, livestock) * Forestry for wood and paper products * Mining for minerals and metals * Industrial facilities and infrastructure * Transportation infrastructure * Waste disposal sites ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce Land Use impacts include: * Increased material efficiency * Higher agricultural and forestry yields * Urban densification for industrial activities * Land restoration and rehabilitation * Use of degraded lands instead of pristine areas * Vertical farming and other space-efficient techniques * Recycling to reduce primary resource extraction ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting Land Use results, consider: * Previous land use state (conversion impacts) * Geographic specificity of land use * Duration of land occupation * Intensity of land use * Biodiversity value of affected areas * Reversibility of land use impacts ## Related Impact Categories Land Use often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Global Warming Potential (through carbon storage changes) * Freshwater Eutrophication Potential * Water Use * Biodiversity Loss (not always quantified separately) # Marine Eutrophication Potential (MEP) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/marine-eutrophication-potential Understanding Marine Eutrophication Potential (MEP) in GREENZERO Journey LCA In PEF this is **Eutrophication, marine**. It shares the same unit (**kg N eq**) as ReCiPe 2016; only the wording differs. ## Definition Marine Eutrophication Potential (MEP) measures the enrichment of marine ecosystems with nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), leading to excessive algae growth and subsequent ecosystem degradation. It is expressed in kilograms of nitrogen equivalent (kg N eq.) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism Marine eutrophication occurs when excessive nutrients, primarily nitrogen compounds, enter coastal and marine ecosystems, causing: * Algal blooms that can lead to oxygen-depleted "dead zones" * Disruption of marine food webs * Loss of biodiversity and habitat * Reduced commercial fishery yields * Harmful algal blooms that can produce toxins * Degradation of recreational and aesthetic value of coastal areas In marine ecosystems, nitrogen is typically the limiting nutrient, meaning its addition most directly stimulates algal growth. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates MEP by: 1. Identifying emissions to water bodies and air throughout a product's lifecycle 2. Converting each emission to its nitrogen equivalent using characterization factors from ReCiPe 2016 3. Summing all nitrogen equivalents to determine the total MEP **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The MEP impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for MEP: €14.25 per kg N eq.** This factor represents the societal cost of damage from marine eutrophication, including: * Ecosystem damage and biodiversity loss * Economic impacts on commercial fisheries * Reduced recreational value of coastal areas * Tourism revenue losses * Property value decreases in affected coastal areas * Health impacts from harmful algal blooms ## Example Calculation For a product with an MEP of 0.05 kg N eq. per piece: ``` Environmental Cost = MEP × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 0.05 kg N eq. × €14.25/kg N eq. Environmental Cost = €0.71 per piece ``` ## Interpretation Marine eutrophication impacts can affect large areas of coastal waters and have significant economic consequences. Key contributors to MEP in product lifecycles typically include: * Agricultural activities (fertilizer runoff and livestock waste) * Wastewater discharge * Fossil fuel combustion (NOx emissions) * Aquaculture operations * Food processing waste * Detergent use ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce MEP include: * Precision agriculture to minimize fertilizer use * Advanced wastewater treatment with nitrogen removal * Riparian buffer zones to filter agricultural runoff * Emission controls on combustion sources * Sustainable aquaculture practices * Watershed management approaches ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting MEP results, consider: * Coastal sensitivity and circulation patterns * Transport pathways from emission to coastal waters * Seasonal variations in impact * Background nutrient levels in affected areas * Retention time of nitrogen in watersheds ## Related Impact Categories MEP often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Freshwater Eutrophication Potential * Acidification Potential * Water Use * Marine Ecotoxicity Potential # Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/ozone-depletion-potential Understanding Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) in GREENZERO Journey LCA PEF uses the shorter term **Ozone depletion** for this category. The unit remains **kg CFC-11 eq** so the results are directly comparable. ## Definition Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) measures the ability of a substance to destroy stratospheric ozone relative to the reference substance CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane). It is expressed in kilograms of CFC-11 equivalent (kg CFC-11 eq.) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism The stratospheric ozone layer protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) release chlorine or bromine atoms when they reach the stratosphere. These atoms catalyze reactions that destroy ozone molecules, leading to: * Increased UV radiation reaching Earth's surface * Higher incidence of skin cancer and cataracts in humans * Immune system suppression * Damage to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems * Reduced agricultural productivity * Accelerated degradation of materials ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates ODP by: 1. Identifying all ozone-depleting substance emissions throughout a product's lifecycle 2. Converting each emission to its CFC-11 equivalent using characterization factors from ReCiPe 2016 3. Summing all CFC-11 equivalents to determine the total ODP **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The ODP impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for ODP: €29.1 per kg CFC-11 eq.** This factor represents the societal cost of damage from ozone depletion, including: * Healthcare costs for skin cancer and cataracts * Lost productivity due to illness * Agricultural yield losses * Damage to marine ecosystems and fisheries * Material replacement costs due to UV damage ## Example Calculation For a product with an ODP of 0.0001 kg CFC-11 eq. per piece: ```python theme={null} Environmental Cost = ODP × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 0.0001 kg CFC-11 eq. × €29.1/kg CFC-11 eq. Environmental Cost = €0.00291 per piece ``` ## Interpretation Due to the Montreal Protocol and subsequent international agreements, emissions of major ozone-depleting substances have been significantly reduced. However, some products and processes still contribute to ODP. Key contributors to ODP in product lifecycles typically include: * Refrigeration and air conditioning (older systems) * Foam blowing agents * Fire suppression systems * Certain solvents and cleaning agents * Agricultural fumigants * Some pharmaceutical manufacturing processes ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce ODP include: * Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances * Replacement with ozone-friendly alternatives * Proper recovery and disposal of ODS-containing equipment * Leak detection and prevention in refrigeration systems * Process modifications to eliminate ODS use * Compliance with Montreal Protocol regulations ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting ODP results, consider: * Age of data (emissions have decreased significantly over time) * Geographic variations in regulations * Uncertainty in emission factors * Long atmospheric lifetimes of many ODS * Potential trade-offs with other impact categories ## Related Impact Categories ODP sometimes correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Global Warming Potential (many ODS are also potent greenhouse gases) * Human Toxicity Potential * Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential # Particulate Matter (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/particulate-matter-pef Particulate matter formation impact category in PEF methodology Applicable only when calculating a **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)**. ## Definition Particulate Matter accounts for the formation of fine particles that can cause respiratory disease. It is measured in **disease incidences** per year. ## Environmental Mechanism Combustion processes and industrial activities release primary particles and precursors (NOx, SO₂) that form secondary particles affecting human health. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Collect emissions contributing to particulate matter formation. 2. Apply ILCD factors to derive the number of disease incidences. 3. Sum across life cycle stages. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 includes a similar indicator but is not part of our default eight categories. ## Environmental Cost Conversion No monetary factor from CE Delft exists yet; the result is reported as disease incidences. ## Example Calculation A value of **0.001 disease incidences** means roughly one additional case per thousand products produced. ## Interpretation Higher values indicate greater potential human health impacts from particulates, often linked to fuel combustion. ## Reduction Strategies * Use cleaner fuels * Install particulate filters and scrubbers ## Data Quality Considerations * Regional background pollution levels influence actual impacts ## Related Impact Categories * Human Toxicity categories # Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/photochemical-ozone-creation-potential Understanding Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP) in GREENZERO Journey LCA PEF calls this category **Photochemical ozone formation** and reports it in **kg NMVOC eq**. GREENZERO Journey uses the ReCiPe 2016 indicator, which is reported in **kg NOx eq**. ## Definition Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP), also known as Summer Smog, measures the ability of a substance to form ground-level ozone (O₃) through reactions with sunlight. It is expressed in kilograms of nitrogen oxide equivalent (**kg NOx eq**) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. This process leads to: * Formation of photochemical smog * Respiratory problems in humans * Damage to vegetation and crops * Reduced agricultural yields * Material degradation (rubber, plastics, textiles) * Reduced visibility in urban areas Unlike stratospheric ozone (which protects Earth from UV radiation), ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates POCP by: 1. Identifying all VOC and NOx emissions throughout a product's lifecycle 2. Converting each emission to its NOx equivalent using characterization factors from ReCiPe 2016 3. Summing all NOx equivalents to determine the total POCP **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The POCP impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for POCP: €0.416 per kg NOx eq.** This factor represents the societal cost of damage from photochemical ozone formation, including: * Healthcare costs from respiratory diseases * Lost productivity due to illness * Agricultural crop losses * Damage to materials and infrastructure * Ecosystem damage ## Example Calculation For a product with a POCP of 0.2 kg NOx eq. per piece: ```python theme={null} Environmental Cost = POCP × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 0.2 kg NOx eq. × €0.416/kg NOx eq. Environmental Cost = €0.08 per piece ``` ## Interpretation Photochemical ozone formation is primarily an urban and regional issue, with impacts concentrated in densely populated areas during warm, sunny periods. Key contributors to POCP in product lifecycles typically include: * Transportation emissions (especially diesel vehicles) * Solvent use in manufacturing * Fossil fuel combustion * Oil and gas production and distribution * Chemical manufacturing * Printing processes ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce POCP include: * Emission controls on vehicles and industrial sources * Low-VOC solvents and materials * Improved fuel efficiency * Vapor recovery systems * Process optimization * Public transportation and carpooling ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting POCP results, consider: * Regional and seasonal variations in impact * Urban vs. rural emission locations * Meteorological conditions affecting ozone formation * Background NOx and VOC levels * Temporal aspects of emissions (summer vs. winter) ## Related Impact Categories POCP often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Human Health (Respiratory effects) * Acidification Potential * Global Warming Potential * Particulate Matter Formation # Resource Use, Fossils (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/resource-use-fossils-pef Fossil resource use impact category in the PEF methodology Only calculated for **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** studies. ## Definition Resource Use, Fossils accounts for the depletion of fossil energy carriers such as oil, gas, and coal. It is measured in **MJ** (megajoules). ## Environmental Mechanism Extraction and consumption of fossil fuels reduce non-renewable resources and often drive other impacts like climate change. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Sum all fossil energy use throughout the life cycle. 2. Apply ILCD fossil depletion factors (MJ). 3. Add contributions for total resource use. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 includes a similar fossil depletion metric but it is not part of Journey's default eight categories. ## Environmental Cost Conversion Currently no CE Delft cost factor exists for this impact; results remain in MJ. ## Example Calculation ``` Impact = 10 MJ ``` ## Interpretation Higher values indicate greater fossil resource consumption. Energy-intensive processes are typical hotspots. ## Reduction Strategies * Improve energy efficiency * Switch to renewable energy sources ## Data Quality Considerations * Assumptions about energy supply chains influence results ## Related Impact Categories * Climate Change # Resource Use, Minerals & Metals (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/resource-use-minerals-metals-pef Mineral and metal resource depletion category in the PEF methodology Assessed only when applying the **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** methodology. ## Definition Resource Use, Minerals & Metals quantifies depletion of mineral resources. It is expressed in **kg Sb eq** (kilograms of antimony equivalents). ## Environmental Mechanism Mining and processing of ores reduce the availability of finite mineral resources and can lead to ecosystem disruption. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey 1. Record consumption of mineral and metal resources. 2. Multiply by ILCD characterization factors (kg Sb eq). 3. Sum across all processes. **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ReCiPe 2016 includes a mineral depletion indicator but it is not among Journey's default categories. ## Environmental Cost Conversion No CE Delft cost factor is available, so results are given in kg Sb eq. ## Example Calculation ``` Impact = 0.05 kg Sb eq ``` ## Interpretation Large values indicate high reliance on scarce minerals, which may signal supply risk and environmental burden from mining. ## Reduction Strategies * Design for material efficiency and recycling * Substitute critical metals where possible ## Data Quality Considerations * Ore grade assumptions influence depletion results ## Related Impact Categories * Land Use # Water Use (WU) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/impact-categories/water-use Understanding Water Use (WU) in GREENZERO Journey LCA The PEF framework also calls this category **Water use**, but it reports results in **m³ world eq deprived** to reflect regional water scarcity. Journey’s ReCiPe 2016 implementation simply uses **m³** withdrawn. ## Definition Water Use (WU) measures the total volume of freshwater consumed or withdrawn from natural sources for use in processes related to a product's lifecycle. It is expressed in cubic meters (m³) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors. ## Environmental Mechanism Water is a critical resource for ecosystems and human societies. Excessive water use can lead to: * Depletion of groundwater resources * Reduced river flows and lake levels * Habitat loss for aquatic species * Reduced availability for human needs * Increased energy use for water pumping and treatment * Land subsidence in areas of groundwater depletion * Saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers Water use impacts vary significantly based on the local water scarcity context, with withdrawals in water-stressed regions causing more severe impacts than in water-abundant regions. ## Calculation in GREENZERO Journey GREENZERO Journey calculates Water Use by: 1. Identifying all freshwater withdrawals throughout a product's lifecycle 2. Accounting for water returned to the same watershed (consumptive vs. non-consumptive use) 3. Summing the total water use expressed in cubic meters **About ReCiPe 2016** ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes. The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations. ## Environmental Cost Conversion The Water Use impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: **CE Delft Cost Factor for Water Use: €0.407 per m³** This factor represents the societal cost of water use, including: * Ecosystem service losses * Increased water treatment costs * Agricultural productivity losses * Costs of water conflicts * Infrastructure for water supply * Health impacts from reduced water availability ## Example Calculation For a product with a Water Use of 2 m³ per piece: ``` Environmental Cost = WU × CE Delft Factor Environmental Cost = 2 m³ × €0.407/m³ Environmental Cost = €0.81 per piece ``` ## Interpretation Water use impacts are highly dependent on geographic context, with the same volume of water use potentially causing vastly different impacts depending on local water scarcity. Key contributors to Water Use in product lifecycles typically include: * Agricultural irrigation for raw materials * Process water in manufacturing * Cooling water for energy production * Cleaning and rinsing operations * Product use phase (especially for water-using products) * Water embedded in materials ## Reduction Strategies Common strategies to reduce Water Use include: * Water efficiency improvements in processes * Water recycling and reuse systems * Rainwater harvesting * Drought-resistant crop varieties * Leak detection and prevention * Process modifications to reduce water requirements * Sourcing from water-abundant regions when possible ## Data Quality Considerations When interpreting Water Use results, consider: * Geographic specificity of water withdrawal locations * Seasonal variations in water availability * Distinction between consumptive and non-consumptive use * Water quality aspects (not captured in volume metrics) * Return flow considerations * Local water scarcity context ## Related Impact Categories Water Use often correlates with other impact categories, particularly: * Freshwater Eutrophication Potential * Marine Eutrophication Potential * Land Use * Energy use (for pumping and treatment) # Methodologies Overview Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/methodologies/overview Understanding different LCA methodologies and when to use them **Our Environmental Impact Assessment Services**\ At GREENZERO, we offer comprehensive environmental impact services grounded in rigorous Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies: **1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with ReCiPe**\ Based on ISO 14040 & ISO 14044 standards and utilizing the globally recognized ReCiPe 2016 Life Cycle Impact Assessment method, we translate resource use and emissions into scientifically robust environmental impact scores, both at midpoint and endpoint levels. By assessing all 18 ReCiPe 2016 midpoint categories—from climate change and particulate matter formation to resource depletion and water consumption—our service enables a clear, data-driven evaluation of environmental burdens throughout every stage of a product’s life cycle. **2. Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)**\ Aligned with the European Commission’s standards, our PEF studies evaluate up to 16 environmental impact categories—from climate change and water use to biodiversity and resource depletion. We operate within the PEF General Guide and category-specific PEFCRs, ensuring fully verified, lifecycle-wide, cradle-to-grave results. **3. Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)**\ Following ISO 14067 and the GHG Protocol, our PCF assessments focus exclusively on greenhouse gas emissions, offering a streamlined CO₂e estimate for your product’s entire life cycle. This clarity helps pinpoint decarbonization hotspots and meet global climate reporting requirements. **4. Screening LCA**\ Need fast, high-level insights? Our screening LCA provides a rapid environmental performance snapshot—ideal for early product development, benchmarking, or scoping full-scale LCAs. It’s a practical step toward more detailed assessments. **5. Environmental Cost Calculation Using CE Delft Method**\ In addition to impact quantification, we calculate the **environmental cost** based on the CE Delft method across eight key categories, providing a monetary valuation that supports sustainable decision-making and environmental-economic trade-off analysis. These categories include: * Climate Change (GWP) - kg CO₂ eq. * Acidification - kg SO₂ eq. * Freshwater Eutrophication - kg P eq. * Marine Eutrophication - kg N eq. * Summer Smog - kg NOx eq. * Ozone Depletion - kg CFC-11 eq. * Water Use - m³ * Land Use - *m²a crop eq* **How to Choose a Methodology**\ Selecting the right environmental assessment depends on your goals, product maturity, and compliance needs: * **Life Cycle Assessment (LCA with ReCiPe)** is ideal when you need a detailed, science-based understanding of overall environmental impacts across multiple categories. Best for product development, eco-design, or corporate sustainability reporting. * **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** is your go-to if you’re targeting EU markets or regulatory alignment. Choose PEF when aiming for comparability across similar products and full alignment with EU green claims. * **Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)** is the right choice if your main concern is greenhouse gas emissions. Ideal for climate reporting, carbon labeling, or identifying decarbonization opportunities. * **Screening LCA** works best in the early stages of product development or when time/resources are limited. It’s a smart first step toward deeper analysis. We’re happy to help you determine the best fit; just tell us about your product, objectives, and timeline. **ReCiPe 2016**\ ReCiPe 2016 is GREENZERO Journey's default methodology, providing a balanced approach that covers all 18 midpoint impact categories: 1. Global warming – *kg CO₂ eq* 2. Stratospheric ozone depletion – *kg CFC11 eq* 3. Ionizing radiation – *kBq Co-60 eq* 4. Ozone formation, Human health – *kg NOx eq* 5. Fine particulate matter formation – *kg PM2.5 eq* 6. Ozone formation, Terrestrial ecosystems – *kg NOx eq* 7. Terrestrial acidification – *kg SO₂ eq* 8. Freshwater eutrophication – *kg P eq* 9. Marine eutrophication – *kg N eq* 10. Terrestrial ecotoxicity – *kg 1,4-DCB* 11. Freshwater ecotoxicity – *kg 1,4-DCB* 12. Marine ecotoxicity – *kg 1,4-DCB* 13. Human carcinogenic toxicity – *kg 1,4-DCB* 14. Human non-carcinogenic toxicity – *kg 1,4-DCB* 15. Land use – *m²a crop eq* 16. Mineral resource scarcity – *kg Cu eq* 17. Fossil resource scarcity – *kg oil eq* 18. Water consumption – *m³* For more details on each methodology, see their dedicated pages in this section. # Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/methodologies/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). # Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/methodologies/pef EU standardized methodology for comprehensive environmental impact assessment ## What is PEF? The **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** is the European Commission's standardized methodology for measuring a product's environmental performance throughout its lifecycle. PEF aims to harmonize environmental assessment methods across the EU and provide consistent, comparable results. ## Key Characteristics * **Comprehensive**: Covers 16 environmental impact categories * **Standardized**: Follows detailed Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) * **EU-focused**: Developed and promoted by the European Commission * **Data-intensive**: Requires high-quality, specific data ## When to Use PEF Consider using PEF when: * Operating in or targeting European markets * Preparing for EU regulations that require PEF methodology * Needing to compare products within the same product category * Requiring the most comprehensive environmental assessment ## PEF Impact Categories PEF evaluates products across 16 different impact categories: | Impact Category | Unit | Example Impact Source | | - | - | - | | Climate change | kg CO₂ eq | Fossil fuel combustion | | Ozone depletion | kg CFC-11 eq | Refrigerant leakage | | Human toxicity, cancer | CTUh | Heavy metal emissions | | Human toxicity, non-cancer | CTUh | Pesticide exposure | | Particulate matter | Disease incidences | Industrial emissions | | Ionizing radiation | kBq U-235 eq | Nuclear energy production | | Photochemical ozone formation | kg NMVOC eq | Solvent emissions | | Acidification | mol H⁺ eq | Sulfur dioxide from power plants | | Eutrophication, terrestrial | mol N eq | Agricultural runoff | | Eutrophication, freshwater | kg P eq | Phosphorus discharge | | Eutrophication, marine | kg N eq | Nitrogen-rich effluent | | Land use | Pt | Agricultural land conversion | | Water use | m³ world eq deprived | Irrigation in water-scarce regions | | Resource use, fossils | MJ | Oil and gas extraction | | Resource use, minerals and metals | kg Sb eq | Mining activities | | Ecotoxicity, freshwater | CTUe | Chemical discharge to waterways | ## Relationship with Other Methodologies For a detailed comparison between PEF and our standard ReCiPe 2016 methodology, see our [Deep Dive: PEF](/insights/deep-dive-pef) article. ## Implementation in GREENZERO Journey While GREENZERO Journey primarily uses ReCiPe 2016 for its standard LCA calculations, we maintain compatibility with PEF requirements. Organizations requiring full PEF compliance should contact our support team for customized solutions. # Screening LCA Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/methodologies/screening-lca Requirements for creating simplified product life‑cycle assessments (LCAs) for determining environmental costs – Cosmetics sector **Version:** V2025‑02‑28‑SLCA ## 1.1 Introduction Preparing a standard‑compliant LCA in accordance with ISO 14040/44 is often complex and associated with high effort. Many companies shy away from this because access to data is difficult and extensive documentation requirements exist. As a result, the potential of LCA as an analysis instrument often remains unused. A pragmatic solution is offered by the *Screening‑LCA*, a simplified LCA that enables an initial assessment of a product's environmental impacts. GREENZERO provides a methodological description (separate document) that defines minimum requirements and methodological specifications in order to ensure a structured and comparable Screening‑LCA. Although it is not standardised, the Screening‑LCA follows clear methodological principles to provide a reliable basis for sustainable decisions. Its main goal is to identify hotspots in the product life cycle, reveal environmental potentials, and evaluate the need or necessity for a full LCA. In the long term, it can contribute to further development towards a standard‑compliant LCA and help companies systematically reduce their environmental impacts. The following sections give an overview of the requirements for the Screening‑LCA (cosmetics sector). A detailed description of the Screening‑LCA is provided in a methodological document. A Screening‑LCA is not yet a standardised term or process. The preparation of simplified LCAs can be carried out in accordance with the core LCA standard ISO 14040/44 and other standards, but indicates that, for the sake of simplification, compliance with all aspects of the standards is deliberately waived. The results of Screening‑LCAs are therefore only of limited significance and can generally not be used for further comparative analyses or external communication without additional validation. The statements made in this document are based on considerations by GREENZERO and do not claim completeness or conformity with any other standard. **Here is a comparison between Screening vs. Scientfic Life Cycle Assessment:** | **Category** | **Screening LCA** | **Scientific LCA** | | :- | :- | :- | | **Goal / Result** | Detailed scan of individual products for environmental cost calculation and hotspotting | Precise analysis of environmental impact and costs of individual products | | **ISO Compliance (14040/44)** | Based on standards | Yes | | **Data Collection** | LCAP software or Excel | LCAP software or Excel | | **Mapping** | LCA consultant | LCA consultant | | **No. of Raw Materials Included** | Up to 20 (note: \~) | Up to 30 (note: \~) | | **More Raw Materials Possible** | Yes (extra cost) | Yes (extra cost) | | **Use of LCA Database** | Limited preset by GREENZERO | e.g., Ecoinvent (more optional) | | **Proxy**\* Design w/ Primary Data (from Manufacturer) | No | Optional\* | | **Proxy**\* Design w/ Secondary Data (Literature) | No | Optional\* | | **Cut-off Criteria** | 5% | 0.1% | | **Hotspotting Possible** | Yes | Yes | | **Result Report** | Simple report (optionally detailed report for review) | Simple report (optionally detailed report for review) | | **Result Presentation** | Optional\* | Optional\* | | **Consultation on Results** | Optional\* | Optional\* | | **Critical Review by Third Parties** | No | Optional\* | | **Effort** | \~4 h incl. plausibility check (plus LCAP onboarding) | 5–8+ person-days | | **Communication Option** | Internal, B2B, optionally claim | Claim & seal | ## 1.2 General Information and Scope of Application | Aspect | Description | Minimum | Optional | | - | - | - | - | | \*\*The reasons for carrying out the study \*\* | Conducting a Screening‑LCA for a cosmetic product (e.g. shampoo) to determine potential environmental impacts and associated environmental costs. | Execution of a Screening‑LCA for the product. | Detailed analysis progressing towards a full LCA. | | **Intended application** | Use the results as a decision basis for deeper analyses (e.g. certification according to GREENZERO v1.11). Results are not published or made accessible to third parties. | Internal use by product manufacturers **and third parties which have explicit permission**. | Optional publication for external stakeholders (when a full LCA exists). | | **Target audience** | Internal: primary addressees are product manufacturers as well as **third parties which have explicit permission**, B2B. | Manufacturers and retail partners. | – | ## 1.3 Standards and Guidelines for LCA Calculation | Aspect | Description | Minimum | Optional | | - | - | - | - | | **Standards used** | Mandatory standard and core requirement: ISO 14040/14044. | Oriented towards ISO standards. | Full conformity with ISO standards. | | **Guidelines or Product Category Rules (PCRs)** | GREENZERO requirements – cosmetics sector (separate document); Eco‑Beauty Score (status: under review). | GREENZERO requirements, cosmetics sector. | Use of the latest version of relevant PCRs or guidelines (e.g. Eco‑Beauty Score). Future adjustments to new standards. | | **Critical review** | No critical review planned for Screening‑LCAs. | Internal quality assurance. | External review. | | **Type of report** | See GREENZERO template example. | Internal report for manufacturers. | Extended reporting with critical review. | ## 1.4 Impact Assessment Method and Impact Categories | Aspect | Description | Minimum | Optional | | - | - | - | - | | **Mandatory method with impact categories** | ReCiPe 2016, hierarchist perspective (Huijbregts et al., 2017). | Use of the ReCiPe 2016 method. | Comparison with other methods possible. | | **Impact categories** | Climate change, eutrophication, acidification, summer smog, ozone depletion, land use, water use. | Assessment of the eight minimum impact categories. | Expansion to additional categories. | | **Environmental‑cost standard** | Environmental Cost Assessment (CE Delft 2026). | Application of the specified method. | Future adjustments to new standards. | ## 1.5 Product System | Aspect | Description | Minimum | Optional | | - | - | - | - | | **Product system** | Cosmetic product on the shelf (e.g. shampoo) including ingredients and primary and secondary packaging. The product system includes raw‑material extraction and transport (for ingredients and packaging), product manufacturing, inbound and outbound logistics, and the end‑of‑life of the product packaging. | Consideration of all relevant processes of the product system (see "Description"). | Analysis of alternative packaging/ingredients. | | **Accounting/functional unit** | One product on the shelf (including ingredients and primary and secondary packaging). Reference flow: one sales unit (e.g. 200 ml shampoo). | Compliance with the functional unit. | – | ## 1.6 System Boundaries, Data Collection, Quality and Exchange **Description:** Cradle‑to‑grave: raw‑material procurement, manufacturing, packaging, transport, end‑of‑life of packaging. Use by consumers and storage are not considered. **Minimum Requirements:** * Consideration of the defined system boundaries **Optional Extensions:** * Inclusion of the use phase possible * Expansion to additional processes possible (e.g. end‑of‑life of ingredients) Data relate to the raw materials and Ingredient used in a product. **Examples:** * Material type and quantity (e.g. 200 g PET for a bottle) * Chemical composition of ingredients (Bill of Materials, e.g. 5% surfactants in shampoo) * Origin of raw materials (e.g. sustainably sourced palm oil from country X) **Minimum Requirements:** * 100% use of complete primary data for material type and quantity (packaging) and chemical composition of ingredients (product) required * Comprehensive list of all primary data sources used **Optional Extensions:** * High share of primary data for further material‑ and ingredient‑related data * Supplement with detailed secondary data Data describe specific processes within the production chain. **Examples:** * Energy consumption (e.g. 500 kWh electricity for a production facility) * Water consumption (e.g. 100 litres water per product) * Emissions (e.g. CO₂ emissions of a factory) * Waste quantities (e.g. 2 kg plastic waste per batch) **Minimum Requirements:** * 100% primary data for production (electricity, heat, water) required * Comprehensive list of all primary data sources used **Optional Extensions:** * High share of further process‑related primary data desirable * Further differentiation by processes Data provide information on logistics and transport within the supply chain. **Examples:** * Transport distances (e.g. 500 km by truck from manufacturer to warehouse) * Transport modes (e.g. ship, rail, truck) * Fuel consumption and emissions (e.g. 50 litres diesel per 100 km) **Minimum Requirements:** * 50% primary data for transport routes along the supply chain * Supplier‑specific data desirable * Comprehensive list of all primary data sources used **Optional Extensions:** * High share of further transport‑related primary data desirable * Further differentiation by processes Direct information from manufacturing partners for material/energy flows (BOM, production, logistics). **Minimum:** * Direct exchange with manufacturers * Comprehensive list of all primary data sources used **Optional:** Supplement by specific studies Use of LCA databases (e.g. ecoinvent 3.9). **Minimum:** * Use of recognised data sources (see methodological documentation) * Comprehensive list of all secondary data sources used **Optional:** Comparison of different databases | Aspect | Primary Data | Secondary Data | Minimum | Optional | | - | - | - | - | - | | **Temporal Reference Limits** | Most recent data, not older than two years for primary data. | Not older than five years. | Compliance with temporal requirements (for primary)/ Use of the latest available data. | For primary data: Update after project end

For secondary data: Sensitivity analysis for older data | | **Geographical Reference Limits** | Consideration of country‑specific primary data. | Consideration of location‑specific secondary data. | For primary data: Use of country‑specific average values

For secondary data: Use of continental average values | For primary data:
Use of manufacturer‑specific average values

For secondary data: Use of country‑specific average values | Mass‑based cut‑off criteria of 5.0% (use of proxies). **Minimum Requirements:** * Documentation of cut‑off criteria * Use of proxies when applying cut‑off criteria (see methodological documentation) **Optional Extensions:** * Further sensitivity analyses ## 1.7 Methods of Data Collection and Calculation | Aspect | Description | Minimum Requirements | Optional Extensions | | - | - | - | - | | **Specific calculation rules** | • End‑of‑life rules: cut‑off criteria for evaluating waste treatment and recycling
• Allocation: allocation rules and corresponding standards
• Handling of biogenic carbon (0/0 static approach) | Compliance with the defined calculation rules (see methodological documentation) | Adaptation to new developments possible | # Portfolio Insights Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/insights/portfolio-insights Understanding portfolio-level environmental impact analysis in GREENZERO Journey Portfolio Insights provides a comprehensive view of your product portfolio's environmental performance across multiple dimensions. This powerful analysis tool helps you identify patterns, outliers, and opportunities for improvement across your entire product range. ## Outlier Analysis Outlier Analysis in the context of an LCA study identifies products that deviate significantly from the norm in terms of environmental impact or cost. This analysis helps pinpoint products that may require further investigation or present opportunities for environmental improvement. GREENZERO Journey offers several outlier analysis options: ### Average Cost by Category This analysis compares the environmental cost of each product against the average cost for its category. Products with significantly higher costs than their category average are highlighted as potential areas for improvement. Environmental costs are calculated using CE Delft factors, which monetize environmental impacts to enable direct comparison across different impact categories. ### Average GWP by Category This analysis focuses specifically on Global Warming Potential (GWP), comparing each product's carbon footprint against the category average. This helps identify climate hotspots in your portfolio. ### Cost vs GWP Impact This analysis plots environmental cost against GWP impact for all products, helping identify: * Products with high cost but relatively low GWP (likely impacted by other environmental factors) * Products with high GWP but relatively low cost (may have significant climate impact but low impact in other categories) * Products with both high cost and high GWP (priority targets for improvement) ### Cost vs Product Weight This analysis examines the relationship between environmental cost and product weight. It helps identify: * Products with disproportionately high environmental cost relative to their weight (often indicating material selection issues) * Weight-to-impact efficiency across your portfolio * Opportunities for material optimization ### GWP vs Product Weight This analysis plots GWP impact against product weight, helping to identify: * Carbon efficiency per unit of product weight * Products with disproportionate climate impact relative to their size * Weight reduction opportunities with significant climate benefits ## Impact by Category The Impact by Category analysis shows the environmental performance of your complete portfolio across eight key environmental impact categories following the ReCiPe 2016 methodology. Each impact category represents a different aspect of environmental damage and is measured in its specific units. For detailed information about each impact category, including its definition, environmental mechanisms, and associated CE Delft cost factors, please visit the dedicated pages: * [Global Warming Potential](/insights/impact-categories/global-warming-potential) * [Acidification Potential](/insights/impact-categories/acidification-potential) * [Freshwater Eutrophication Potential](/insights/impact-categories/freshwater-eutrophication-potential) * [Marine Eutrophication Potential](/insights/impact-categories/marine-eutrophication-potential) * [Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential](/insights/impact-categories/photochemical-ozone-creation-potential) * [Ozone Depletion Potential](/insights/impact-categories/ozone-depletion-potential) * [Water Use](/insights/impact-categories/water-use) * [Land Use](/insights/impact-categories/land-use) ## Impact by Lifecycle Phase Impact by Lifecycle Phase analysis breaks down environmental impacts according to different stages of a product's life cycle. This analysis helps identify which phases contribute most significantly to overall environmental impact, enabling targeted improvement strategies. In the context of LCA, lifecycle phases typically include: 1. **Raw Material Extraction**: Environmental impacts associated with extracting and processing raw materials from the earth. 2. **Manufacturing**: Impacts from the production processes that transform raw materials into finished products, including energy use, emissions, and waste generation. 3. **Distribution**: Environmental burdens from transporting products from manufacturing facilities to customers, including fuel consumption and associated emissions. 4. **Use Phase**: Impacts that occur during the product's useful life, such as energy consumption, maintenance, and consumables. 5. **End-of-Life**: Impacts related to product disposal, including landfilling, incineration, recycling, or other waste management processes. By understanding which lifecycle phases contribute most to environmental impacts, organizations can: * Prioritize improvement efforts on the most impactful phases * Develop targeted strategies for impact reduction * Make informed design decisions for new products * Communicate more effectively about environmental improvement initiatives The Impact by Lifecycle Phase analysis in GREENZERO Journey provides both absolute values and percentage contributions for each phase across all eight environmental impact categories. ## Data Quality Score The Data Quality Score measures the overall reliability, completeness, and accuracy of the data used in your LCA calculations. This score helps you understand the confidence level in your results and identify areas where data improvement would be most beneficial. GREENZERO Journey evaluates data quality based on multiple factors, including: * Temporal representativeness (age of data) * Geographical representativeness (regional relevance) * Technological representativeness (process specificity) * Completeness (coverage of relevant flows) * Precision and uncertainty (variability in measurements) ### Data Types and Their Impact on Quality The Data Quality Score is significantly influenced by the types of data used in your LCA: #### Primary Data Primary data is collected directly from your specific processes and operations. Examples include: * Measured energy consumption from your manufacturing facilities * Actual material quantities from your bills of materials * Specific transportation distances and modes from your logistics records * Direct emissions measurements from your operations **Impact on Quality Score**: Primary data typically provides the highest quality score as it most accurately represents your actual processes. A product LCA with predominantly primary data might achieve a quality score of 80-100%. #### Secondary Data Secondary data comes from industry averages, databases, or published studies that are relevant to your processes but not specific to your operations. Examples include: * Industry average electricity consumption for similar manufacturing processes * Standard material composition data from LCA databases * Average transportation distances for similar supply chains * Emission factors from published literature **Impact on Quality Score**: Secondary data typically results in a moderate quality score, as it represents similar but not identical processes. A product LCA with predominantly secondary data might achieve a quality score of 50-80%. #### Tertiary Data Tertiary data is derived from proxy processes, estimates, or extrapolations when specific or even industry-average data is unavailable. Examples include: * Estimated energy use based on similar but different processes * Material impacts approximated from related materials * Transportation impacts based on generic assumptions * Emissions estimated from theoretical models rather than measurements **Impact on Quality Score**: Tertiary data typically results in the lowest quality scores, as it represents approximations rather than measurements. A product LCA with significant tertiary data might have a quality score below 50%. ### Improving Your Data Quality Score GREENZERO Journey provides recommendations for improving your data quality score, such as: * Replacing tertiary data with secondary or primary data * Updating outdated data sources * Increasing the specificity of process data * Filling data gaps in your inventory * Conducting sensitivity analyses for uncertain parameters ## Individual Product Impact The Individual Product Impact analysis identifies the products in your portfolio with the highest environmental impact, focusing particularly on Global Warming Potential (GWP). This analysis helps you prioritize which products to target for environmental improvements. The dashboard displays the top 10 products with the highest GWP impact, showing: * Absolute GWP impact (kg CO₂ eq.) * Relative contribution to portfolio total (%) * GWP per functional unit (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. per product) * Year-over-year change in GWP impact This instant overview allows you to quickly identify which products contribute disproportionately to your organization's carbon footprint. By focusing improvement efforts on these high-impact products, you can achieve the greatest environmental benefits with the least effort. The analysis also provides context for each product's impact, such as: * Production volume influence * Key contributing materials or components * Lifecycle phases with highest impact * Comparison to category averages ## Hotspots & Dominance Analysis Hotspots & Dominance Analysis is a critical component of Life Cycle Assessment that identifies the most significant contributors to environmental impacts across your portfolio. This analysis pinpoints specific areas where focused improvement efforts will yield the greatest environmental benefits. ### What is a Hotspot Analysis in LCA? In the context of LCA, a hotspot is an element within a product system that accounts for a significant proportion of the overall environmental impact. Hotspot analysis helps answer questions such as: * Which materials contribute most to the environmental impact? * Which processes are the most environmentally intensive? * Which suppliers account for the largest share of upstream impacts? * Which impact categories are most significant for a given product? ### Product-Level Hotspots GREENZERO Journey's Insights page provides product-level hotspot analysis that identifies: * **Key Contributing Components**: Components or subassemblies that contribute disproportionately to a product's environmental impact * **Critical Processes**: Manufacturing or other processes that dominate the impact profile * **Impact Category Dominance**: Whether certain impact categories (e.g., GWP, water use) dominate the overall environmental cost * **Lifecycle Phase Hotspots**: Which lifecycle phases contribute most significantly to impacts This analysis helps product designers and engineers focus their improvement efforts on the most impactful areas of a product's design and supply chain. ### Material-Level Hotspots The Insights page also provides material-level hotspot analysis across your entire portfolio, showing: * **High-Impact Materials**: Materials that contribute most significantly to your portfolio's environmental footprint * **Material Quantity vs. Impact**: Whether a material's impact is driven by large quantities or high impact intensity * **Material Substitution Potential**: Opportunities to replace high-impact materials with environmentally preferable alternatives * **Material Impact Breakdown**: How each material contributes to different impact categories ### Dominance Analysis Dominance analysis extends hotspot identification by determining which factors dominate or control the overall results. This helps distinguish between: * **Volume Dominance**: Where impacts are primarily driven by the quantity of material or energy used * **Intensity Dominance**: Where impacts are primarily driven by the high impact per unit of a particular material or process * **Phase Dominance**: Where one lifecycle phase overwhelmingly determines the overall impact * **Category Dominance**: Where one or two impact categories represent the majority of environmental cost By understanding these dominance patterns, organizations can develop targeted strategies that address the root causes of environmental impacts rather than symptoms. The Hotspots & Dominance Analysis in GREENZERO Journey provides actionable insights that enable strategic decision-making for environmental improvement initiatives across your product portfolio. # Add Members Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/organisation-management/add-members How to add members to your organisation in GREENZERO Journey This guide explains the process of adding members to your organisation in GREENZERO Journey. ## Member Addition Process Currently, adding members to an organisation in GREENZERO Journey is handled by our support team. This ensures proper access control and security. ## How to Request Adding New Members To add new members to your organisation: 1. Contact [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) with your request 2. Include the following information: * Your organisation name * Full name of the new member * Email address of the new member * Role or access level needed for the new member 3. Our support team will process your request Ensure that you have proper authorization within your organisation to request the addition of new members. ## Member Addition Timeline After your request is submitted: 1. **Request Review**: Our team reviews your request (1-2 business days) 2. **User Verification**: We verify the new member's information 3. **Access Configuration**: Support configures appropriate access levels 4. **User Notification**: The new member receives an invitation email 5. **Confirmation**: You receive confirmation when the member has been added ## Member Access Levels Members can be added with different access levels depending on their role: * **Admin**: Full access to all organisation features and settings - **Manager**: Access to most features with limited administrative capabilities - **Standard User**: Regular access to use the platform with restricted settings access - **Read-Only**: Can view but not modify content The specific access level for each member should be specified in your request to support. ## Need Help? If you have questions about adding members or need assistance, contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). # Organisation Creation Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/organisation-management/organisation-creation How organisations are created in GREENZERO Journey This guide explains the process of organisation creation in GREENZERO Journey. ## Organisation Creation Process Currently, organisations in GREENZERO Journey can only be created by our support team. This ensures proper setup and configuration for each new organisation. ## How to Request a New Organisation If you need a new organisation created: 1. Contact [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) with your request 2. Include the following information: * Organisation name * Primary contact person * Business purpose for using GREENZERO Journey * Any specific requirements or configurations needed 3. Our support team will review your request ## Organisation Setup Timeline 1. **Initial Review**: Our team reviews your request (1-2 business days) 2. **Organisation Creation**: Support creates your organisation in our system 3. **User Association**: Your user account is linked to the new organisation 4. **Confirmation**: You receive confirmation when your organisation is ready 5. **Access Granted**: You can now access GREENZERO Journey with your organisation ## Organisation Structure Each organisation in GREENZERO Journey: * Has a unique identifier * Can have multiple members (added by support) * Has its own data storage and settings * Can manage its own projects and resources Organisation settings and structure are configured during the creation process by our support team based on your requirements. ## Need Help? If you have questions about organisation creation or need assistance, contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). # Organisation Deletion Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/organisation-management/organisation-deletion How to delete an organisation from GREENZERO Journey This guide explains the process of deleting an organisation from GREENZERO Journey. ## Organisation Deletion Process Currently, organisations in GREENZERO Journey can only be deleted by our support team. This ensures proper data handling and cleanup during the deletion process. ## How to Request Organisation Deletion If you need to delete your organisation: 1. Contact [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu) with your request 2. Include the following information: * Organisation name * Reason for deletion * Confirmation from an authorized administrator 3. Our support team will review your request Organisation deletion is a significant action that affects all members and data. Make sure this is the appropriate course of action before proceeding. ## Organisation Deletion Timeline 1. **Initial Review**: Our team reviews your deletion request (1-2 business days) 2. **Verification**: We verify the request is from an authorized administrator 3. **Data Backup**: Optional backup of critical data if requested 4. **Deletion Process**: Support initiates the deletion process 5. **Confirmation**: You receive confirmation when your organisation has been deleted ## What Gets Deleted When an organisation is deleted: * All organisation-specific settings and configurations - All projects associated with the organisation - All data stored within the organisation - All member associations with the organisation User accounts are not automatically deleted when an organisation is deleted. Members will need to request separate account deletion if desired. ## Data Retention Policy Some information may be retained for legal, security, or business purposes as outlined in our Privacy Policy, even after organisation deletion. ## Need Help? If you have questions about organisation deletion or need assistance, contact our support team at [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu). # Bill of Materials Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/product-management/bill-of-materials Managing bills of materials in GREENZERO Journey A Bill of Materials (BOM) in GREENZERO Journey is the foundational structure that defines what a product is made of. It serves as both a product management tool and the primary input for environmental impact analysis. The BOM is essentially a structured list of all materials, components, and quantities required to manufacture a product, providing a complete inventory of everything that goes into making the final item. ## Understanding BOMs in Environmental Context While BOMs have traditionally been used for manufacturing planning, inventory management, and cost calculation, in GREENZERO Journey they take on an additional critical role: they form the basis for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculations. The environmental impact of a product is directly tied to its constituent materials and how they are processed, transported, and assembled. A well-structured BOM enables: * Accurate calculation of environmental impacts across multiple categories * Identification of hotspots where environmental improvements can be made * Transparent reporting of product sustainability metrics * Scenario modeling for potential design or material changes * Compliance with environmental regulations and standards ## BOM Structure in GREENZERO Journey In GREENZERO Journey, BOMs are structured to capture all relevant information needed for both product management and environmental analysis. The system supports two primary types of BOM elements: ### Materials Materials are the basic building blocks of a product—the raw or processed substances that make up the final item. These can include: * Raw materials (e.g., steel, cotton, wood) * Processed materials (e.g., plastic pellets, fabric, paper) * Chemical substances (e.g., adhesives, coatings, dyes) * Packaging materials (e.g., cardboard, plastic film, foam) Each material in the BOM represents a specific substance with defined environmental characteristics. Materials are typically the endpoints in your BOM structure—they aren't broken down further into sub-components. ### Components Components are assemblies that group several materials or other components together into a reusable unit. Key aspects of components include: * They can contain multiple materials and/or other components * They can have their own manufacturing processes assigned * They can have separate transportation methods and distances * They allow for modular product design and analysis * They can be reused across multiple products Components help organize complex products into manageable sections and enable more accurate modeling of manufacturing processes. For example, a laptop might have components such as "display assembly," "battery," and "motherboard," each with their own materials and manufacturing processes. ## BOMs and Environmental Data Mapping The most critical function of the BOM in GREENZERO Journey is connecting your materials to their environmental impact data. ### Environmental Material Profiles Each material in your product has what we can call an **Environmental Material Profile** — a comprehensive set of data about how that material affects the environment throughout its life cycle. Technical note: In Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) terminology, these environmental material profiles are formally called "Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)" data. LCI is the technical term used by sustainability professionals and researchers. Think of an Environmental Material Profile as a detailed "environmental ID card" for each material that contains information about: * All resources consumed (energy, water, raw materials, etc.) * All emissions released to air, water, and soil * All waste generated * All transportation and processing impacts These profiles are based on scientific measurements, industry data, and environmental modeling that track everything that goes into making a material and all the environmental effects that result. ### Environmental Profile Example For instance, the Environmental Material Profile for "1 kg of cotton fabric" might include: * Water used for irrigation (e.g., 2,000 liters) * Fertilizers and pesticides applied during farming * Energy used in harvesting and processing * Emissions from transportation of raw cotton to textile mills * Chemicals used in fabric treatment * Wastewater generated during dyeing * Energy consumed in spinning and weaving All these inputs and outputs are quantified and associated with specific environmental impacts like climate change, water pollution, or land use. ### How GREENZERO Journey Uses Environmental Profiles When you add a material to your BOM, GREENZERO Journey's AI: 1. Analyzes the material description and properties 2. Searches its database of thousands of Environmental Material Profiles 3. Identifies the most appropriate profile match for your specific material 4. Applies the environmental data to your specific quantity and conditions 5. Calculates the resulting environmental impacts This mapping process is what transforms a simple list of materials into a comprehensive environmental assessment. It's similar to how a recipe transforms a list of ingredients into a nutritional profile — except instead of calories and vitamins, we're calculating carbon emissions and water usage. ## BOM Line Properties Each element in a GREENZERO Journey BOM can have several properties that affect its environmental impact calculation: ### Quantity The amount of the material or component used in the product. This directly scales the environmental impact—twice the material typically means twice the impact. ### Weight The mass of the material or component, which is often a key factor in environmental impact calculations, particularly for transportation impacts. ### Unit By default, BOM line elements use the unit "kg" (kilograms), but GREENZERO Journey supports multiple units to accommodate different types of materials and processes: * **g**: Grams, for very light materials * **kg**: Kilograms, the default unit for most materials * **l**: Liters, for liquid materials * **km**: Kilometers, for transportation distances * **m²**: Square meters, for area-based materials like fabrics or coatings * **m³**: Cubic meters, for volume-based materials The unit selection is important because it determines which type of LCI the AI will use for matching. For example, a fabric entered as "m²" will be matched with area-based fabric LCIs rather than weight-based ones. ### Supplier Each BOM element can have a specific supplier assigned. This allows for: * More accurate transportation impact calculations * Supplier-specific environmental data when available * Supply chain mapping and risk assessment * Identification of improvement opportunities with specific suppliers ### Transport BOM elements can have individual transportation methods and distances assigned, which accounts for: * Different modes of transport (truck, ship, rail, air) * Varying distances from suppliers to manufacturing facilities * Cold chain requirements for certain materials * Regional variations in transportation efficiency ### Manufacturing When necessary, specific manufacturing processes can be assigned to BOM elements, particularly components. This captures impacts from: * Energy used in processing and assembly * Process-specific emissions and waste * Regional variations in manufacturing efficiency * Specialized equipment or techniques ## BOM Management Best Practices To get the most accurate environmental impact assessment in GREENZERO Journey: 1. **Be Comprehensive**: Include all materials, even those that seem insignificant 2. **Be Specific**: Use precise material descriptions rather than general categories 3. **Use Appropriate Units**: Select the unit that best represents how the material is measured and used 4. **Include Processing Information**: Add manufacturing details when they significantly affect environmental impact 5. **Verify Quantities**: Ensure that material quantities accurately reflect the final product 6. **Update Regularly**: Keep BOMs current as products evolve or suppliers change 7. **Use Components Strategically**: Group materials into components when they share manufacturing processes or suppliers By following these practices and understanding the critical role of BOMs in environmental impact analysis, you can create more accurate and actionable sustainability assessments in GREENZERO Journey. # Brands Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/product-management/brands Managing brands in GREENZERO Journey In GREENZERO Journey, brands are a critical component of product management that help organize products, enforce consistency, and guide the AI's analysis and recommendations. Brands represent the commercial identities associated with products and can significantly influence how products are analyzed and what recommendations are provided. ## What are Brands in Product Management? Brands in GREENZERO Journey serve as more than just labels—they are intelligent containers that can carry specific rules, guidelines, and characteristics that apply to all products associated with them. This allows for consistent handling of products that share brand identity while streamlining the management of product portfolios. Key aspects of brands include: * **Organizational Structure**: Brands help categorize and organize products in meaningful ways * **Rule Enforcement**: Brands can enforce specific guidelines across all associated products * **AI Guidance**: Brands provide context that informs how the AI analyzes and makes recommendations for products * **Consistency**: Brands ensure that similar products are treated with consistent assumptions and methodologies ## Adding and Detecting Brands GREENZERO Journey offers two primary methods for managing brands: ### Manual Brand Creation Brands can be manually added to the system through the Brand Management interface. When creating a brand manually, you can: 1. Define the brand name and description 2. Upload brand logos and visual assets 3. Establish brand-specific rules and guidelines 4. Set default parameters for products under this brand 5. Specify sustainability commitments or certifications Manual brand creation is ideal when you want to pre-configure brand settings before adding products. ### Automatic Brand Detection The GREENZERO Journey AI can also automatically detect brands when analyzing product information. This happens when: * Importing product data that includes brand information * Analyzing product descriptions or specifications * Processing product images that contain brand identifiers When a brand is automatically detected, the system will either: * Associate the product with an existing brand in your system * Create a new brand entry and prompt you to review and enhance its settings ## How Brands Impact AI Behavior One of the most powerful features of brands in GREENZERO Journey is their ability to influence how the AI analyzes products and generates recommendations. The AI adapts its behavior based on brand-specific rules and characteristics. ### Brand Rules Brand rules are specific guidelines or constraints that apply to all products under a particular brand. These rules can be defined in natural language, making them flexible and easy to understand. For example: * "All products must use recycled packaging materials" * "No animal-derived materials are permitted in any products" * "Products should prioritize local sourcing within 100km of manufacturing" * "All wood components must be FSC certified" These rules are interpreted by the AI and applied during product analysis and when generating recommendations. ### Example: Vegan Brand Rule A particularly common example is setting a brand as "vegan," which establishes a rule that no animal materials are allowed in any products under this brand. When this rule is in place: 1. The AI will flag any detected animal-derived materials in product compositions 2. Recommendations for material substitutions will only include vegan alternatives 3. LCA calculations will apply assumptions consistent with vegan manufacturing practices 4. Reports will highlight the product's alignment with vegan principles ## Brand Rules in Action When the AI processes products associated with a specific brand, it takes special care to ensure that all brand rules are considered in both analysis and recommendations: ### During Analysis The AI will: * Check product compositions against brand rules * Flag potential rule violations for review * Apply appropriate assumptions based on brand characteristics * Consider brand-specific supply chain information when available ### For Recommendations The AI will: * Only suggest changes that comply with all brand rules * Prioritize recommendations that strengthen brand identity * Consider brand sustainability commitments when suggesting improvements * Maintain consistency across recommendations for all brand products ## Managing Brand Rules Brand rules can be managed through the Brand Settings interface, where you can: * Add new rules using natural language descriptions * Edit existing rules as brand requirements evolve * Temporarily disable rules without deleting them * Set rule priority for cases where rules might conflict * Monitor rule compliance across all brand products ## Brand Analytics GREENZERO Journey also provides brand-level analytics that aggregate data from all products under each brand. This allows you to: * Compare environmental performance across different brands * Identify brand-specific improvement opportunities * Track progress toward brand sustainability goals * Generate brand-level sustainability reports By effectively managing brands and their associated rules, you can ensure that your product portfolio maintains consistency while aligning with your organization's sustainability objectives and brand values. # Categories Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/product-management/categories Managing product categories in GREENZERO Journey Product categories in GREENZERO Journey provide a standardized classification framework that helps organize products and enables the AI to make more accurate analyses and recommendations. Unlike brands, which often require manual management, categories in GREENZERO Journey follow the internationally recognized Central Product Classification (CPC) system and are largely managed automatically. ## CPC Classification System The Central Product Classification (CPC) is a comprehensive, standardized classification system developed by the United Nations Statistics Division. It provides a framework for classifying all products and services in a consistent, internationally recognized manner. In GREENZERO Journey, this classification system offers several advantages: * **Standardization**: Products are categorized according to internationally accepted standards * **Comprehensiveness**: The CPC covers all goods and services that can be the object of domestic or international transactions * **Hierarchical Structure**: Categories are organized in a multi-level hierarchy, allowing for both broad and specific classifications * **Comparability**: Products can be compared across different companies, industries, and countries The CPC classification in GREENZERO Journey uses a hierarchical structure with sections, divisions, groups, classes, and subclasses, providing increasing levels of specificity. ## Automatic Category Management One of the key advantages of using the CPC classification in GREENZERO Journey is that categories typically don't require manual management. The system handles categorization through: ### Automatic Detection When products are added to the system, the GREENZERO Journey AI automatically: 1. Analyzes product descriptions, specifications, and other metadata 2. Identifies key characteristics that indicate product type 3. Matches these characteristics against the CPC classification framework 4. Assigns the most appropriate CPC category to the product ### Intelligent Classification The AI employs advanced techniques to ensure accurate categorization: * **Natural Language Processing**: Extracts meaningful information from product descriptions * **Image Recognition**: Can identify product types from visual data when available * **Pattern Recognition**: Learns from existing categorized products to improve accuracy * **Contextual Analysis**: Considers related products and industry context ### Manual Override While automatic categorization is the default, the system does provide options for manual intervention when necessary: * Reviewing and confirming AI-suggested categories * Manually selecting a different category when the AI's suggestion isn't optimal * Creating custom subcategories within the CPC framework for specialized needs * Bulk recategorization of multiple products when needed ## How Categories Influence AI Behavior Product categories play a crucial role in how the GREENZERO Journey AI analyzes products and generates insights. The AI uses categories to infer patterns and apply relevant rules across similar products. ### Pattern Recognition The AI detects patterns specific to product categories, such as: * **Typical Material Compositions**: Understanding what materials are commonly used in specific product types * **Expected Lifecycle Phases**: Recognizing which lifecycle phases are most relevant for different categories * **Common Environmental Hotspots**: Identifying environmental impact areas that frequently occur in certain product types * **Industry Benchmarks**: Establishing performance baselines for products within the same category ### Category-Specific Rules Unlike brand rules, which are explicitly defined, category rules are often inferred by the AI based on patterns observed across products in the same category. These inferred rules help the AI to: * Apply appropriate assumptions when data is incomplete * Flag unusual characteristics that deviate from category norms * Suggest improvements based on best practices within the category * Compare products against relevant benchmarks ### Cross-Category Analysis The hierarchical nature of the CPC classification also enables the AI to perform analyses across related categories: * Identifying trends at different levels of the category hierarchy * Transferring insights from one subcategory to related subcategories * Comparing environmental performance across different but related product types * Detecting opportunities for cross-category standardization ## Benefits of Category-Based Analysis The category-based approach in GREENZERO Journey provides several key benefits: ### More Accurate Comparisons Products within the same category can be meaningfully compared, allowing for: * Fair benchmarking against industry standards * Identification of outliers within a category * Recognition of best-in-class examples * Meaningful performance targets based on category peers ### Targeted Recommendations The AI can provide more relevant recommendations by considering category-specific factors: * Material substitutions that are appropriate for the specific product type * Process improvements that are relevant to the category's manufacturing methods * Design changes that align with category functionality requirements * Supplier suggestions with experience in the specific product category ### Streamlined Portfolio Management Categories help organize and manage product portfolios more effectively: * Grouping similar products for batch analysis and improvement * Identifying category gaps or overlaps in product offerings * Prioritizing sustainability efforts by category impact * Tracking performance improvements within and across categories ## Category Reports and Analytics GREENZERO Journey provides category-specific reports and analytics that help you understand environmental performance at the category level: * **Category Impact Profiles**: Environmental impact breakdowns specific to each product category * **Category Benchmarking**: How your products compare to category averages and best practices * **Category Improvement Tracking**: Progress in reducing environmental impacts within specific categories * **Cross-Category Comparisons**: Identifying which product categories contribute most to your overall environmental footprint By leveraging the standardized CPC classification system and allowing the AI to detect patterns within categories, GREENZERO Journey provides deeper insights and more relevant recommendations while minimizing the need for manual category management. # Overview Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/product-management/overview Overview of product management in GREENZERO Journey Product management in GREENZERO Journey is the foundation of effective environmental impact assessment. This section provides a comprehensive overview of how products are structured, managed, and analyzed within the platform to deliver accurate and actionable sustainability insights. ## Introduction GREENZERO Journey approaches product management with a dual focus: enabling efficient product data organization while simultaneously providing the detailed information needed for thorough environmental impact analysis. Unlike traditional product management systems that focus solely on inventory or sales, our platform captures the complete product lifecycle—from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life—to enable comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). ## Key Components The structured inventory of all materials and components that make up a product, forming the basis for environmental impact calculations. Management of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging elements, each with their own environmental footprint. Brand-level organization with customizable rules that influence AI analysis and recommendations. Product classification using the CPC system to enable pattern recognition and benchmarking. ## Environmental Impact Integration What sets GREENZERO Journey's product management apart is its seamless integration with environmental impact assessment. Every aspect of product data is structured to facilitate accurate calculation of the eight key environmental impact categories: * Climate Change (GWP) * Acidification * Freshwater Eutrophication * Marine Eutrophication * Summer Smog * Ozone Depletion * Water Use * Land Use This integration enables not just reporting but actionable insights for sustainability improvement. ## The Product Management Workflow ### 1. Product Creation Products can be added to GREENZERO Journey through multiple methods: * **URL Import**: Analyze individual product pages from e-commerce sites * **File Import**: Upload product data in various formats (CSV, Excel, PDF, images) * **Manual Description**: Create products through detailed text descriptions The AI assists in all methods, extracting and organizing relevant product information automatically. ### 2. Bill of Materials Development At the heart of product management is the Bill of Materials (BOM), which includes: * **Materials**: The basic substances that make up the product * **Components**: Assemblies that group materials into functional units * **Properties**: Quantity, weight, supplier, transport, and manufacturing details Each element in the BOM is mapped to appropriate Environmental Material Profiles, enabling accurate impact calculations. ### 3. Packaging Documentation Packaging is documented as a separate but related aspect of the product: * **Primary Packaging**: Direct product containers (currently supported) * **Secondary Packaging**: Grouping and display packaging (future support) * **Tertiary Packaging**: Transport and logistics packaging (future support) Like product materials, packaging elements follow the BOM structure with their own environmental impacts. ### 4. Brand and Category Management Products are organized by: * **Brands**: With customizable rules that influence AI analysis * **Categories**: Following the CPC classification system for standardized grouping These organizational structures enable portfolio-level analysis and targeted improvement strategies. ### 5. Environmental Assessment With complete product data, GREENZERO Journey calculates comprehensive environmental impacts across all eight categories, identifying hotspots and improvement opportunities. ## Getting Started New to product management in GREENZERO Journey? We recommend following this path: 1. Start with the [Quick Start Guide](/product-management/quick-start) to import your first product 2. Learn about [Bill of Materials](/product-management/bill-of-materials) structure and management 3. Understand how to document [Packaging](/product-management/packaging) effectively 4. Explore [Brands](/product-management/brands) and [Categories](/product-management/categories) for portfolio organization 5. Review the [Insights](/insights/portfolio-insights) section to interpret environmental impact results ## Key Benefits * **Automated Data Collection**: AI-powered extraction of product information * **Standardized Assessment**: Consistent methodology across all products * **Actionable Insights**: Clear identification of environmental hotspots * **Portfolio Analysis**: Brand and category-level environmental performance * **Improvement Tracking**: Monitor sustainability progress over time * **Transparent Methodology**: ISO 14040/44 compliant calculations By following GREENZERO Journey's product management approach, organizations can efficiently build a comprehensive product database that serves both operational and sustainability needs, driving informed decision-making and continuous environmental improvement. # Packaging Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/product-management/packaging Managing product packaging in GREENZERO Journey In GREENZERO Journey, packaging is a critical component of product management that significantly contributes to a product's overall environmental impact. Packaging serves multiple functions—protecting products during transport, providing information to consumers, enabling efficient storage and handling, and often playing a role in marketing. From an LCA perspective, packaging requires careful consideration as it can represent a substantial portion of a product's total environmental footprint. ## Packaging Hierarchy Packaging is typically categorized into three hierarchical levels, each serving different purposes in the product's journey from manufacturer to end user: Primary packaging is the layer that directly contains the product and is what consumers typically interact with first. It's the packaging that remains with the product until it's used or consumed. **Examples of Primary Packaging:** * Glass bottle containing a beverage * Plastic tube holding toothpaste * Cardboard box containing cereal * Blister pack holding tablets or capsules * Paper wrapper around a chocolate bar * Aluminum can containing soda * Plastic pouch holding coffee beans Primary packaging often has the most stringent requirements for material compatibility with the product, barrier properties, and consumer interaction. Secondary packaging contains one or more items in primary packaging. It typically serves to group products for retail display, provide additional protection during transport, or offer marketing opportunities. **Examples of Secondary Packaging:** * Cardboard box holding multiple bottles of shampoo * Shrink wrap bundling multiple cans of soda * Display carton containing individually wrapped chocolate bars * Corrugated tray for multiple jars * Paperboard sleeve around a group of yogurt cups * Plastic ring carrier for beverage cans * Gift box containing a perfume bottle and accessories Secondary packaging is often removed and discarded at the retail level or by consumers before product use. Tertiary packaging is used for bulk handling, warehouse storage, and shipping. It's designed to protect products during transportation and facilitate efficient logistics operations. **Examples of Tertiary Packaging:** * Wooden pallets for stacking and moving goods * Stretch wrap securing products to pallets * Large corrugated shipping containers * Plastic or metal strapping to secure loads * Slip sheets for forklift handling * Corner protectors for fragile shipments * Bulk containers and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) Tertiary packaging typically doesn't reach the end consumer and is managed within the supply chain. Currently, GREENZERO Journey only supports primary packaging in its LCA calculations. Secondary and tertiary packaging support is planned for future releases. For comprehensive packaging impact assessment, please focus on accurately documenting primary packaging components. ## Packaging as a Bill of Materials (BOM) Element In GREENZERO Journey, packaging is managed using the same fundamental structure as any other Bill of Materials (BOM) element. This means that each packaging component: ### Has Its Own Supply Chain Each packaging material can have: * **Separate Suppliers**: Different vendors may provide various packaging components * **Different Manufacturing Processes**: Each packaging element may undergo distinct production methods * **Unique Transport Routes**: Packaging materials may travel different paths to reach assembly locations ### Maintains Individual Properties Like other BOM elements, packaging components have their own: * **Weight**: Specified in appropriate units (typically grams or kilograms) * **Quantity**: Number of units per product * **Material Composition**: Specific materials used (e.g., PET, HDPE, cardboard, glass) * **Dimensions**: Size specifications relevant for transport and storage calculations ### Generates Distinct Impact Results The system calculates and reports: * Individual environmental impacts for each packaging component * Contribution of packaging to the product's overall impact * Specific impact category results (GWP, water use, etc.) for packaging elements * Opportunities for packaging optimization and improvement ## Packaging Management in GREENZERO Journey ### Creating and Editing Packaging Packaging can be managed through the Product Management interface by: 1. Navigating to a product's detail page 2. Selecting the "Packaging" tab 3. Adding or editing packaging components 4. Specifying materials, weights, quantities, and other relevant properties 5. Assigning suppliers and manufacturing information when available ### Packaging Analysis GREENZERO Journey provides specific insights for packaging, including: * Packaging-to-product weight ratio analysis * Material efficiency assessments * Recyclability and end-of-life evaluations * Comparison with industry benchmarks for similar products * Improvement recommendations specific to packaging ### Packaging Optimization The system can suggest packaging improvements such as: * Material substitutions with lower environmental impact * Weight reduction opportunities * Design changes to improve recyclability * Alternative packaging formats with better overall performance * Supplier changes based on environmental criteria ## Best Practices for Packaging Documentation To get the most accurate LCA results for packaging in GREENZERO Journey: 1. **Be Precise with Weights**: Even small differences in packaging weight can significantly affect results 2. **Specify Exact Materials**: Use specific material types rather than general categories 3. **Include All Components**: Document all primary packaging elements, including labels, caps, etc. 4. **Update Regularly**: Keep packaging information current as designs change 5. **Provide Supplier Information**: When possible, include specific supplier data for more accurate results By treating packaging as an integral part of the product's Bill of Materials, GREENZERO Journey enables comprehensive environmental impact assessment and targeted improvement strategies for this critical aspect of product design. # Quickstart Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/product-management/quick-start Get started with product management in GREENZERO Journey This guide will help you quickly import your first product into GREENZERO Journey. Adding products is the first step toward generating comprehensive environmental impact assessments and identifying opportunities for sustainability improvements. ## Importing Your First Product GREENZERO Journey offers three flexible methods to import products. Choose the approach that works best for your current data availability: ### Steps for URL Import Go to the **Products** section in your GREENZERO Journey dashboard Click the **Add Product** button Select **Add by URL** from the dropdown menu Enter the complete URL of the specific product page you want to analyze Click **Import** to start the analysis process Our AI will automatically extract product information including name, description, and available images Review the extracted information and make any necessary adjustments before confirming The system will crawl the provided URL, extract product information, and create a new product entry with preliminary data. You'll be able to review and refine this information before finalizing the product. For best results, use URLs that contain detailed product specifications and material information. Want to analyze an entire online shop? While the URL import method is designed for individual products, GREENZERO Journey also supports bulk shop analysis as a separate process. See the **Portfolio Analysis** documentation for details on analyzing complete product catalogs. ### Steps for File Import Create a CSV, Excel, or JSON file with your product details. Templates are available in the import section. Go to the **Files** section in your GREENZERO Journey dashboard Drag and drop your file or click to browse and select it from your computer Wait for the upload to complete Choose how to process your file: **Option 1: Direct Import** - Click **Import** and select the appropriate import type - Map your file's columns to GREENZERO Journey's product attributes - Click **Import** to process your file **Option 2: AI-Assisted Import** - Navigate to the AI Chat interface - Reference your file with the `@file` syntax: `Please import the product data from @filename.xlsx` - Follow the AI's guidance through the import process Bulk imports support up to 100 products at once. For larger catalogs, contact support for assistance. ### Steps for Description Import Go to the **Products** section in your GREENZERO Journey dashboard Click the **Add Product** button Select **Add by Description** from the dropdown menu, or click the **AI Assistant** button Provide a detailed description of your product, including: - Product name and category - Materials and components - Approximate weights or dimensions - Manufacturing location (if known) * Any other relevant details The AI will generate a bill of materials based on your description. Review and adjust as needed. Click **Create** to generate the product entry The more detailed your description, the more accurate your environmental assessment will be. Include material types, weights, manufacturing locations, and transportation methods when possible. ## Next Steps After Import Once your product is imported: 1. **Review the Product Data**: Verify that the imported information is accurate and complete 2. **Add Missing Details**: Fill in any gaps in the product information, especially in the Bill of Materials 3. **Generate LCA**: Request an environmental impact assessment of your product 4. **Review Results**: Examine the calculated impacts across all environmental categories 5. **Identify Improvements**: Use the insights to find opportunities for environmental optimization For more detailed guidance on managing your products and interpreting results, explore the other sections of the Product Management documentation. ## First Steps Once you have imported your first product, you can start exploring the other features of GREENZERO Journey, such as analyzing your product's environmental impact, identifying areas for improvement, and tracking your progress over time. # Quickstart Source: https://docs.greenzero.eu/quickstart Get started with GREENZERO Journey in minutes This guide will help you get started with GREENZERO Journey by adding your first product and understanding where to go next. ## Step 1: Create Your Account Visit [journey.greenzero.eu](https://journey.greenzero.eu) and click the "Sign Up" button. Enter your email address and create a secure password. Check your inbox for a verification email from GREENZERO Journey and click the verification link. Fill in your organization details when prompted. This information helps us tailor the experience to your industry. ## Step 2: Add Your First Product Once you've logged in, you'll be directed to your dashboard. Let's add your first product: Click on "Products" in the main navigation menu, then select "Add Product". GREENZERO Journey offers three ways to add a product: Go to the **Products** section in your GREENZERO Journey dashboard Click the **Add Product** button Select **Add by URL** from the dropdown menu Enter the complete URL of the specific product page you want to analyze Click **Import** to start the analysis process Our AI will automatically extract product information including name, description, and available images Review the extracted information and make any necessary adjustments before confirming The system will crawl the provided URL, extract product information, and create a new product entry with preliminary data. You'll be able to review and refine this information before finalizing the product. For best results, use URLs that contain detailed product specifications and material information. Want to analyze an entire online shop? While the URL import method is designed for individual products, GREENZERO Journey also supports bulk shop analysis as a separate process. See the **Portfolio Analysis** documentation for details on analyzing complete product catalogs. Create a CSV, Excel, or JSON file with your product details. Templates are available in the import section. Go to the **Files** section in your GREENZERO Journey dashboard Drag and drop your file or click to browse and select it from your computer Wait for the upload to complete Choose how to process your file: **Option 1: Direct Import** - Click **Import** and select the appropriate import type - Map your file's columns to GREENZERO Journey's product attributes - Click **Import** to process your file **Option 2: AI-Assisted Import** - Navigate to the AI Chat interface - Reference your file with the `@file` syntax: `Please import the product data from @filename.xlsx` - Follow the AI's guidance through the import process Bulk imports support up to 100 products at once. For larger catalogs, contact support for assistance. Go to the **Products** section in your GREENZERO Journey dashboard Click the **Add Product** button Select **Add by Description** from the dropdown menu, or click the **AI Assistant** button Provide a detailed description of your product, including: - Product name and category - Materials and components - Approximate weights or dimensions - Manufacturing location (if known) * Any other relevant details The AI will generate a bill of materials based on your description. Review and adjust as needed. Click **Create** to generate the product entry The more detailed your description, the more accurate your environmental assessment will be. Include material types, weights, manufacturing locations, and transportation methods when possible. ## Step 3: Review Your First LCA Once your product is added, GREENZERO Journey will automatically generate an initial Life Cycle Assessment. Click on your product name to view the results. Review the eight environmental impact categories and their values. Click on any category to learn more about what it measures and how it's calculated. Scroll down to the "Hotspots" section to see which materials or processes contribute most to your product's environmental impact. ## Next Steps Now that you've added your first product, here are some recommended next steps: Add more detailed information to your product's Bill of Materials for more accurate results Document your product's packaging to include its environmental impact As you add more products, gain valuable insights across your entire portfolio Deepen your understanding of the environmental impacts being measured Need help? Click the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your GREENZERO Journey dashboard for immediate assistance, or email [support@greenzero.eu](mailto:support@greenzero.eu).