Provide a comprehensive picture with Environmental Product Mapping

Environmental Product Mapping (EPM) provides a comprehensive picture of the environmental footprint of a product, which is an excellent aid in sustainable decision-making processes for businesses and policymakers.

EPM scope and objectives

EPM aims to identify and quantify the environmental impacts associated with a product throughout its lifecycle – including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, recycling and disposal.

By mapping these impacts, stakeholders can pinpoint areas of concern and prioritise strategies for environmental improvement.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

At the core of EPM is the Life Cycle Assessment, a methodology that quantifies the environmental impacts of a product or service across its entire lifecycle.

LCA considers factors such as energy consumption, resource depletion, emissions of greenhouse gases and waste generation. EPM uses LCA data to create a visual representation of the product’s environmental profile.

Data collection and analysis

EPM requires extensive data collection from various stages of the product lifecycle, including primary data from the company’s operations and supply chain as well as secondary data from external sources such as databases and literature.

Once collected, the data is analysed to assess the environmental impacts associated with each stage of the product lifecycle.

Mapping and visualisation

Environmental impacts are often complex and interconnected.

EPM uses mapping and visualisation techniques to present this data in a comprehensible format. Graphs, charts and diagrams help stakeholders identify hotspots of environmental impact and understand the relationships between different stages of the product lifecycle.

Identifying hotspots and opportunities

Through EPM, stakeholders can identify environmental hotspots where the majority of impacts occur. These hotspots may vary depending on the product and its lifecycle stages.

By pinpointing these areas, businesses can prioritise efforts to reduce environmental impacts and explore opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Decision support and communication

EPM provides valuable insights to support decision-making processes related to product design, manufacturing practices, supply chain management and waste management.

It also facilitates communication with stakeholders, transparently and objectively conveying the environmental performance of products.

Continuous improvement

EPM is not a one-time exercise but rather an ongoing process. As new data becomes available or technologies evolve, the environmental profile of products may change.

Continuous monitoring enables companies to track their progress towards sustainability goals and adapt strategies accordingly.

Integration with sustainability strategies

EPM is often integrated into broader sustainability strategies within organisations.

By understanding the environmental impacts of products, companies can align their business practices with environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance and consumer preferences. This will ultimately enhance their reputation and competitiveness in the market.

How can an EPM create added value?

By providing valuable insights and guiding decision-making processes, EPM helps businesses and policymakers work towards more sustainable practices.

How can C6 ESG help?

We will help you measure the environmental footprint of your supply chain, products and packaging and plan how to reduce them. We will monitor your progress and help you communicate your results to both internal and external customers.