From Factory to Footprint: A Closer Look at Carbon Intensity

When you buy something new, a phone, sneakers, or even a simple coffee cup, there’s more to it than just the price tag. Behind the scenes sits a rarely recognized number, carbon intensity. Seldom on labels, but it reveals production efficiency and the climate impact of each unit.

For a more in-depth look, check out the article Factory to Footprint: Understanding the Carbon Intensity of a Product, by Lark researcher Denis Koshelev.

Carbon Intensity vs Carbon Footprint

These two concepts often get lumped together, but they serve different purposes. 

• Carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions linked to a product across its entire lifecycle. That includes extracting raw materials, manufacturing, shipping, using the product, and eventually disposing of it.

  
  

• Carbon intensity measures emissions per unit produced, usually expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent per item or per kilo. Instead of measuring the overall impact, it shows the efficiency of the system behind the product.

  
  

Everyday Examples Make It Real

Carbon intensity becomes clearer with familiar products.

• Take wooden furniture. Emissions come from logging, milling, manufacturing, and factory energy use. At the same time, some carbon remains stored in the wood, which slightly shifts the overall profile.

  
  

• Or consider a coffee cup. Manufacturing involves extracting and processing materials, then forming and finishing the cup. Yet the brewing stage dominates lifetime emissions. Production impacts are smaller, but still measurable and worth tracking.

  
  

Looking at emissions per unit helps reveal these differences.

Measuring Carbon Intensity Without Getting Lost in the Details

The measurement process begins by defining what will be measured and where the boundaries sit. Some studies stop at the factory gate, while others track impacts from raw materials all the way to disposal. From there, we map each lifecycle stage, gather energy use and material inputs, and convert emissions to carbon equivalents using standard conversion factors.

Once we have calculated the total emissions, the final step is straightforward. That total gets divided by the chosen unit of output. The result is a ratio showing emissions tied to producing one unit of the product.

It sounds technical, and parts of it are. Still, the goal is simple. Show efficiency in a way that can be compared across products or sectors.

Reporting and Trust

Manufacturers typically calculate and publish these figures using recognized standards such as ISO 14067 or the GHG Protocol. The data often appears in a product carbon footprint breakdown that highlights emissions by stage.

Trust can be an issue. Self-reported numbers sometimes skew low when there’s no outside verification. Companies that use independent audits initially report higher emissions yet achieve stronger reductions over time because their data is more accurate and actionable.

That’s why third-party validation matters. Transparency turns metrics into something meaningful instead of promotional.

The Canadian Context

Canada applies internationally recognized lifecycle and carbon accounting approaches, shaped by our own regulatory environment. Programs tied to fuel standards and emissions reporting support cradle-to-grave assessment practices that align with global frameworks while reflecting national policy goals.

Why It Matters

Carbon intensity isn’t just another sustainability buzzword. It pushes companies to examine supply chains, identify hotspots, and improve efficiency. For consumers, it offers a clearer basis for comparison and decision-making.

The number itself isn’t the takeaway. The accountability behind it is. And when that accountability becomes standard practice, it helps move production and purchasing choices in a more responsible direction.