Product full life cycle carbon emission tracking method

Abstract

The invention discloses a product full life cycle carbon emission tracking method, which is embedded in a product carbon footprint management service platform, and specifically comprises the following steps: S1, formulating a product definition boundary and a truncation standard based on a carbon emission calculation formula; s2, data acquisition and accounting are completed according to local conditions, and real-time monitoring and data acquisition are carried out on all links in the product production process. According to the method, the total emission amount of greenhouse gases directly or indirectly generated by a product in the whole life cycle of the product is calculated, including the emission in the extraction, production, transportation, use and waste processes of raw materials, so that the calculation and result traceability of the carbon footprint in the whole life cycle of the product are realized. Accurate carbon emission data are provided for enterprises, the green level of the production process and technical equipment is improved, and the transformation of the enterprises and the society to low-carbon economy is promoted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of carbon accounting technology, and in particular to a method for tracking carbon emissions throughout the entire life cycle of a product. Background Art

[0002] As the problem of climate change becomes increasingly serious, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting low-carbon development has become an international consensus. Faced with multiple pressures from policies and regulations, market orientation, and consumer preferences, companies need to accurately manage the carbon footprint of their production processes. In addition, the globalization of the supply chain has caused the carbon footprint of products to span multiple countries and regions, increasing the difficulty of tracking. Therefore, the development of technologies that can accurately monitor and evaluate carbon emissions throughout the entire chain from raw material extraction to product scrapping is crucial to supporting companies in implementing effective emission reduction strategies and enhancing green competitiveness. This not only helps companies meet international standards and compliance requirements, but also provides consumers with more transparent product environmental information. Based on the current situation, it is imperative to track carbon emissions throughout the life cycle of product raw materials. The existing carbon emission tracking methods on the market have the following shortcomings:

[0003] (1) Inconsistent scoping and cutoff standards: When tracking carbon emissions throughout the life cycle, determining the scope of the analysis is a challenge. Due to the complexity of products and services, determining which processes and materials should be included in the assessment scope may be subjective, and cutting off certain seemingly minor processes may lead to emissions being missed, affecting the accuracy of the overall assessment.

[0004] (2) Data acquisition and accounting are difficult: Carbon emissions tracking throughout the entire life cycle involves multiple links such as raw material mining, processing, transportation, use, and waste disposal. Data acquisition and accounting in each link are relatively complex, and there may be missing or inconsistent data, resulting in errors in the final accounting results.

[0005] (3) Technical limitations and high costs: Full life cycle carbon emissions tracking involves expertise in multiple fields, such as energy engineering, environmental science, and materials science. It relies on advanced data collection, processing, and analysis technologies, and requires the deployment of sensors and other monitoring equipment covering a wide supply chain network. For small and medium-sized enterprises, relying on themselves to accomplish this will face the dual challenges of technology and capital. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the shortcomings of the existing technology and propose a product life cycle carbon emission tracking method, which can calculate the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly or indirectly generated by a product throughout its life cycle, including the emissions during the extraction, production, transportation, use and disposal of raw materials, so as to achieve the calculation of the carbon footprint of the product throughout its life cycle and traceability of the results. It can provide enterprises with accurate carbon emission data, improve the green level of production processes and technical equipment, and promote the transformation of enterprises and society to a low-carbon economy.

[0007] A method for tracking carbon emissions throughout the product life cycle, which is embedded in a product carbon footprint management service platform, specifically includes the following steps:

[0008] S1. Formulate product definition boundaries and cut-off standards based on the carbon emissions calculation formula;

[0009] S2. Complete data acquisition and accounting according to local conditions, and conduct real-time monitoring and data collection for each link in the product production process.

[0010] Preferably, in S1, the carbon emission calculation formula is:

[0011] CO2e=Ad*Ef+Ej (1)

[0012] Carbon emissions = activity data × emission factor + indirect emissions

[0013] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0014] Ad: Activity data, which indicates the level of activity at a certain stage or process in the product life cycle, such as fuel consumption, material usage, or product output;

[0015] Ef: Emission factor, which indicates the average carbon emissions caused by a unit activity level, usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent per unit activity, such as CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption;

[0016] Ej: Indirect emissions, including emissions from energy use, as well as emissions that are not directly controlled by the company but are related to product production, such as carbon emissions from purchased electricity and steam.

[0017] Preferably, the carbon emission accounting of different links in S2 specifically includes the following links:

[0018] A. Carbon emissions during the transportation and storage of raw materials;

[0019] B. Carbon emissions in the production process;

[0020] C. Carbon emissions during the logistics and transportation stage.

[0021] Preferably, the carbon emission formula for the raw material transportation and storage stage is expressed as:

[0022] CO2e_t&s=Fi*Mi+Ce*Ri*Fe*T t&s (2)

[0023] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0024] CO2e_t&s: represents the total carbon emissions during the transportation and storage of raw materials (unit: kgCO2e);

[0025] Fi: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit weight of transportation, unit: kgCO2e / kg;

[0026] Mi: indicates the weight of raw materials, unit: kg;

[0027] Ri: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit weight of transportation, unit: kgCO2e / (kg km);

[0028] Fe: represents the carbon emission coefficient of storage per unit energy consumption, unit: kgCO2e / kW;

[0029] Ce: represents storage energy consumption, unit: kWh;

[0030] T t&s: Duration of carbon emissions during transportation and storage, unit: h.

[0031] Preferably, the carbon emission formula of the production process is expressed as:

[0032] CO2e_p=(Ed*Cd)*Tp+(Mr*Cr)+(Mw*Cw) (3)

[0033] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0034] CO2e_p: represents the total carbon emissions in the production process, unit: kgCO2e;

[0035] Ed: represents the energy consumption of the equipment, unit: kWh;

[0036] Cd: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit energy consumption, unit: kgCO2e / kWh;

[0037] Tp: indicates the length of production time, unit: h;

[0038] Mr: represents the amount of raw materials used, unit: kg;

[0039] Cr: represents the carbon emission factor of raw materials, unit: kgCO2e / kg;

[0040] Mw: represents the waste treatment capacity, unit: kg;

[0041] Cw: represents the carbon emission coefficient of waste treatment, unit: kgCO2e / kg.

[0042] Preferably, the carbon emission formula for the carbon emission in the logistics transportation stage is expressed as:

[0043] CO2e_t=(D*Ct)*Et (4)

[0044] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0045] CO2e_t: represents the total carbon emissions during the logistics and transportation phase, unit: kgCO2e;

[0046] D: indicates the transportation distance, unit: km;

[0047] Ct: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit distance of transportation, unit: kgCO2e / (km·m3 / h);

[0048] Et: represents the efficiency coefficient of transportation tools, dimensionless.

[0049] Preferably, in the full life cycle carbon emission accounting in S2, the specific definition formula for calculating carbon emissions CO2e is as follows:

[0050]

[0051] Where: q represents the product life cycle stage.

[0052] The advantages and technical effects of the present invention are:

[0053] (1) Improving the comparability and consistency of carbon emissions of key products: Unified standards provide clear guidance for companies, helping them to more accurately quantify and manage the carbon emissions of their products, thereby formulating more effective emission reduction strategies and measures. Unified scoping and cut-off standards can ensure that carbon emissions data across different products, companies and industries are comparable.

[0054] (2) Identify hot emission sources in product production and promote supply chain cooperation: By tracking the entire process of products from raw material extraction, processing and manufacturing, transportation and distribution, use and maintenance to final waste recycling, we can accurately identify which links are the main sources of carbon emissions, and promote companies to optimize production processes, select low-carbon materials, and improve designs. By tracking the carbon emissions of upstream and downstream partners, we can promote information sharing and technical exchanges within the supply chain and promote the entire supply chain to work together to reduce carbon footprint.

[0055] (3) Platform construction breaks through technical limitations and financial challenges: The product carbon footprint management service platform focuses on electrical equipment and launches the "expert technical service + product carbon footprint digital platform" model to provide enterprises with carbon footprint accounting services for the entire life cycle of products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the life cycle assessment process of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the carbon footprint calculation process of the electrical equipment throughout its life cycle according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The embodiments of the invention are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the invention.

[0059] A product life cycle carbon emission tracking method of the present invention is embedded in a product carbon footprint management service platform and includes the following steps:

[0060] S1. Establish product definition boundaries and cut-off standards, and clearly define product system boundaries, including direct and indirect emissions, as well as relevant links in the upstream and downstream industrial chains. Use sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of different decisions on carbon emission results. For cut-off issues, use "conservative estimates" or "alternative solutions" to compensate for emissions that may be missed. Develop more sophisticated models, such as supply chain network analysis, to ensure that the environmental footprint of products is fully captured.

[0061] Carbon emissions calculation formulas usually follow this basic pattern:

[0062] CO2e=Ad*Ef+Ej (1)

[0063] Carbon emissions = activity data × emission factor + indirect emissions

[0064] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0065] Ad: Activity data, which indicates the level of activity at a stage or process in the product life cycle, such as fuel consumption, material usage, or product output.

[0066] Ef: Emission factor, which represents the average carbon emissions caused by a unit activity level, usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent per unit activity, such as CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption.

[0067] Ej: Indirect emissions, including emissions from energy use, as well as emissions that are not directly controlled by the company but are related to product production, such as carbon emissions from purchased electricity and steam.

[0068] Specific calculation example:

[0069] Assuming that a product consumes 100 kWh of electricity during the production process, and the emission factor of electricity is 0.5 kg CO2 per kWh, the direct carbon emissions of the product during the production process are:

[0070] Carbon emissions = 100kWh × 0.5kg CO2 / kWh = 50kg CO2

[0071] If there are indirect emissions, such as if the electricity you purchase comes from a coal-fired power station, you will need to add these emissions.

[0072] S2. Complete data acquisition and accounting according to local conditions:

[0073] Through the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and sensor networks, real-time monitoring and data collection of each link in the product production process can be achieved.

[0074] In the process of data acquisition, different collection methods are used according to different production links in different industries. For example, in the raw material procurement link of a certain industry, sensors are used to track carbon emissions during the transportation and storage of raw materials; in the production link of a certain industry, data such as energy consumption and equipment operation are collected through the industrial Internet platform; in the logistics and transportation link of a certain industry, GPS is used to track the transportation route and calculate the carbon emissions during transportation. In addition, the developed full life cycle carbon emission tracking platform uses blockchain technology to ensure the transparency, non-tamperability and security of the data, thereby improving the credibility of the data.

[0075] 1) Carbon emission accounting in different links

[0076] ①The carbon emission formula for the raw material transportation and storage stage can be expressed as:

[0077] CO2e_t&s=Fi*Mi+Ce*Ri*Fe*T t&s (2)

[0078] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0079] CO2e_t&s: represents the total carbon emissions during the transportation and storage of raw materials (unit: kgCO2e).

[0080] Fi: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit weight of transportation (unit: kgCO2e / kg).

[0081] Mi: represents the weight of raw materials (unit: kg).

[0082] Ri: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit weight of transportation (unit: kgCO2e / (kg·km)).

[0083] Fe: represents the carbon emission coefficient of storage per unit energy consumption (unit: kgCO2e / kWh).

[0084] Ce: represents storage energy consumption (unit: kWh).

[0085] T t&s: Duration of carbon emissions during transportation and storage (unit: h).

[0086] ②The formula for carbon emissions in the production process can be expressed as:

[0087] CO2e_p=(Ed*Cd)*Tp+(Mr*Cr)+(Mw*Cw) (3)

[0088] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0089] CO2e_p: represents the total carbon emissions in the production process (unit: kgCO2e).

[0090] Ed: represents the energy consumption of the equipment (unit: kWh).

[0091] Cd: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit energy consumption (unit: kgCO2e / kWh).

[0092] Tp: indicates the length of production time (unit: h).

[0093] Mr: Indicates the amount of raw materials used (unit: kg).

[0094] Cr: represents the carbon emission factor of raw materials (unit: kgCO2e / kg).

[0095] Mw: represents the amount of waste treated (unit: kg).

[0096] Cw: represents the carbon emission coefficient of waste treatment (unit: kgCO2e / kg).

[0097] ③The carbon emission formula in the logistics transportation stage can be expressed as:

[0098] CO2e_t=(D*Ct)*Et (4)

[0099] In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows:

[0100] CO2e_t: represents the total carbon emissions during the logistics and transportation stage (unit: kgCO2e).

[0101] D: Indicates the transportation distance (unit: km).

[0102] Ct: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit distance of transportation (unit: kgCO2e / (km·m3 / h)).

[0103] Et: represents the efficiency coefficient of transportation tools (dimensionless).

[0104] 2) Carbon emission accounting throughout the entire life cycle

[0105] The specific definition of carbon emissions CO2e calculation is as follows:

[0106]

[0107] Where: q represents the product life cycle stage.

[0108] (3) Product Carbon Footprint Management Service Platform

[0109] The product carbon footprint management service platform is designed to fully implement national strategies, support the development of the State Grid Corporation of China's green, modern, digital supply chain, actively respond to the EU's carbon tariff policy, integrate the company's existing achievements in the "dual carbon" work, focus on electrical equipment, and launch the "expert technical service + product carbon footprint digital platform" model. It will create a "1142" (one carbon factor library, one product carbon footprint digital platform, four major business directions, and two service patterns) product carbon footprint service system to provide companies with carbon footprint accounting services for the entire product life cycle.

[0110] 1) Core Functions

[0111] a. Carbon factor library. Collect factors in the greenhouse gas accounting guidelines issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the National Bureau of Statistics and other ministries and commissions, as well as foreign IPCC energy and industrial production process carbon dioxide factors, and provide services such as factor query, factor storage, and factor version management.

[0112] b. Custom modeling. Based on the four major contents of the life cycle assessment method (scope definition, data list, quantitative assessment, and impact analysis), a typical product life cycle carbon footprint accounting model is constructed. At the same time, the mass conservation method, production capacity conversion, and electric carbon analysis model are used to construct a carbon footprint accounting auxiliary verification model to assist in the correction of model results. According to the characteristics of industry and enterprises, it supports product custom boundaries and unit process modeling, presets industry BOM lists and raw material libraries in advance, and conducts real-life data reporting to achieve reliable traceability of carbon footprints.

[0113] c. Product carbon footprint accounting. Following mainstream standards such as ISO14067 and PAS2050, the product carbon footprint digital platform realizes data collection and reporting, data analysis and display, and batch and rapid accounting. It is compatible with multiple scenario requirements, has a lightweight design, and generates a carbon footprint report that complies with various domestic and international standards and specifications with one click.

[0114] d. Supplier low-carbon evaluation. Focus on two dimensions: directional evaluation (information such as enterprise product process characteristics, production line characteristics, energy utilization, etc.) and product LCA model evaluation, build a supplier low-carbon evaluation system, conduct green ratings on suppliers, classify suppliers according to the green rating results, provide low-carbon evaluation reports, assist power grid companies in achieving all-round and full-process dynamic management of suppliers, improve supplier service levels, and guide suppliers to transform and upgrade to low-carbon green.

[0115] e. Certification empowerment. Focusing on the two analysis subjects of enterprises and products, based on the production link data of supply chain enterprises, energy consumption data of suppliers, electricity consumption data, etc., clarify the scope of product carbon footprint accounting, accurately select emission factors, complete the filling and collection of activity data at each stage, and automatically generate product carbon footprint certificates based on the product carbon footprint accounting model, integrate and introduce the resources of authoritative third-party certification and testing institutions, carry out carbon footprint verification and validation, and issue carbon footprint certification certificates.

[0116] f. Carbon chain visualization. Relying on the product carbon footprint digital platform, based on the enterprise data acquisition and the relevant carbon emission data calculated by the platform, it provides enterprises with visualization services such as enterprise low-carbon portraits, enterprise carbon emission paths, product carbon emission archives, and product life cycle carbon emission maps. It provides inventory analysis services for all stages of the product life cycle, including raw material acquisition, manufacturing and assembly, transportation, use, and recycling, and quantifies the product carbon footprint. Finally, all the unsaid parts of the invention adopt mature products and mature technical means in the existing technology.

[0117] In the description of this specification, reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in the embodiment or example of the invention.

[0118] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for tracking carbon emissions during the entire life cycle of a product, characterized in that: The method is embedded in the product carbon footprint management service platform and includes the following steps: S1. Formulate product definition boundaries and cut-off standards based on the carbon emissions calculation formula; S2. Complete data acquisition and accounting according to local conditions, and conduct real-time monitoring and data collection for each link in the product production process.

2. A product life cycle carbon emission tracking method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In S1, the carbon emission calculation formula is: CO2e=Ad*Ef+Ej (1) Carbon emissions = activity data × emission factor + indirect emissions In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows: Ad: Activity data, which indicates the level of activity at a certain stage or process in the product life cycle, such as fuel consumption, material usage, or product output; Ef: Emission factor, which indicates the average carbon emissions caused by a unit activity level, usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent per unit activity, such as CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption; Ej: Indirect emissions, including emissions from energy use, as well as emissions that are not directly controlled by the company but are related to product production, such as carbon emissions from purchased electricity and steam.

3. The method for tracking carbon emissions during the entire product life cycle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carbon emission accounting of different links in S2 specifically includes the following links: A. Carbon emissions during the transportation and storage of raw materials; B. Carbon emissions in the production process; C. Carbon emissions during the logistics and transportation stage.

4. A product life cycle carbon emission tracking method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The carbon emission formula for the raw material transportation and storage stage is expressed as: CO2e_t&s=Fi*Mi+Ce*Ri*Fe*T t&s (2) In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows: CO2e_t&s: represents the total carbon emissions during the transportation and storage of raw materials (unit: kgCO2e); Fi: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit weight of transportation, unit: kgCO2e / kg; Mi: indicates the weight of raw materials, unit: kg; Ri: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit weight of transportation, unit: kgCO2e / (kg km); Fe: represents the carbon emission coefficient of storage per unit energy consumption, unit: kgCO2e / kW; Ce: represents storage energy consumption, unit: kWh; T t&s: Duration of carbon emissions during transportation and storage, unit: h.

5. The method for tracking carbon emissions during the entire product life cycle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The carbon emission formula of the production link is expressed as: CO2e_p=(Ed*Cd)*Tp+(Mr*Cr)+(Mw*Cw) (3) In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows: CO2e_p: represents the total carbon emissions in the production process, unit: kgCO2e; Ed: represents the energy consumption of the equipment, unit: kWh; Cd: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit energy consumption, unit: kgCO2e / kWh; Tp: indicates the length of production time, unit: h; Mr: represents the amount of raw materials used, unit: kg; Cr: represents the carbon emission factor of raw materials, unit: kgCO2e / kg; Mw: represents the waste treatment capacity, unit: kg; Cw: represents the carbon emission coefficient of waste treatment, unit: kgCO2e / kg.

6. A product life cycle carbon emission tracking method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The carbon emission formula of the carbon emission in the logistics transportation stage is expressed as: CO2e_t=(D*Ct)*Et (4) In the formula, the meaning of each variable and its corresponding relationship with the Chinese description in the original formula are as follows: CO2e_t: represents the total carbon emissions during the logistics and transportation phase, unit: kgCO2e; D: indicates the transportation distance, unit: km; Ct: represents the carbon emission coefficient per unit distance of transportation, unit: kgCO2e / (km·m3 / h); Et: represents the efficiency coefficient of transportation tools, dimensionless.

7. A product life cycle carbon emission tracking method according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the full life cycle carbon emission accounting of S2, the specific definition of carbon emission CO2e is as follows: Where: q represents the product life cycle stage.

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