Challenge:

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG protocol) is an international initiative that has developed a universally recognised accounting method for international reporting of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions for different levels, sizes and types of organizations.   The GHG Protocol for Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard is the most widely used carbon reporting standard in the world. Since 2008, GHGP has been focusing on developing a Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, and in 2009, partners were engaged worldwide to road test the draft Standard. Together with TAL Group, RESET Carbon participated in the Product LCA road test.

Solution

Nominated by RESET Carbon, TAL group were among the 42 companies worldwide invited to road test Product Life Cycle Standard. RESET Carbon assisted TAL to apply the draft Standard footprinting framework to measure the shirt’s carbon impact throughout its lifecycle, in every step of the supply chain - from the growing of cotton for raw material, to energy use in numerous production processes, packaging and transportation and cleaning and eventual disposal by end users.

Throughout the road testing project, RESET Carbon’s team worked closely with TAL’s appointed staff to overcome Chinese market hurdles such as primary data quality and availability. At the end of the road test, RESET Carbon prepared a formal review providing input regarding the new standard’s operational feasibility in China. TAL Group also gained insights to the carbon emissions hotspots in the life cycle of one of their signature products, enabling them to better plan reduction initiatives in the future.

Value Delivered

• LCA assessment according to the GHGP Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard draft protocol.
• In-depth analysis of the standard’s operational feasibility specific to the Chinese supply chain context and constructive feedback on further improvement on the standards
• Improved Client (TAL Group) understanding of product LCA carbon of target product