The 4th PCF World Summit took place in Berlin, on the 20-21 of October. Over 140 international delegates and speakers were in attendance, from fields of business, government, non-government organisations and academic institutions, to continue the work in the development and understanding of Product Carbon Footprinting.

The impressions here provide a snapshot of the two days, the Low Carbon Network Dinner and include the Product Category Rules Roundtable which preceded the Summit.

Keynote addresses from UNEP and the PCF World Forum along with fourteen presentations covering a spectrum of the current issues were given on the first day with some topical insights. Updates of significant initiatives and programs from around the globe, including ISO 14067, PAS 2050, and the World Resource Institute and feedback from road testing the Scope 3 Standard and GHG Protocol Product were given.

The firsts day’s presentations provided substantial food for thought for the lively debate, between representatives from the Carbon Trust and ANEC Environment Working Group on the topic ‘Does Carbon Labelling Work?’

Daniel Goleman gave an enlightening presentation on the subject of PCF, which lead to the Open Track Sessions facilitated by some of the leading thinkers in the field, including Greg Norris from New Earth, alongside representatives from Carbon Disclosure Project, Sustainable Consumption Institute, Guardian News and Media, and Bio Intelligence amongst others.

The impressions take you through all three days, from the PCR Roundtable, the PCF World Summit and the Low Carbon Network Dinner.

Click on the image below to view video statements from many of the speakers and delegates in attendance addressing four key questions including, ‘what role can carbon footprinting play in the transition to a low carbon society?’

Visit the Webshop where you will find DVD documentation of this and all previous Summits available for order. You can also view the presentations to assist in your selection.

Learn more and find out who participated through viewing the full programme and Summit Companion.

The challenges for reducing GHG emissions in the value chains are manifold. For the past years substantial methodological work has been undertaken to develop a basis for the uniform assessment of product carbon footprints. The major standards are now moving closer to completion – the GHG Protocol Product and Scope 3 standards are expected for later this year after intensive road-testing by more than 70 companies. The ISO standard will likely soon enter the status of a draft international standard.

With these standards moving to completion the debate on adequate communication and engagement with consumers for GHG reductions is in full swing – the discussions at the last PCF World Summit already expressed a clear need for more refined approaches and discussions. Clarity on standards and communication approaches and requirements is important to tackle the issue of low carbon consumption and production in an efficient, credible and effective way, for business, governments, civil society and solution providers alike.

The 4th PCF World Summit “From Standardisation to Communication”, will dedicate two full days to help you raise and discuss important questions on the current status and perspectives of standardisation and communication in product carbon footprinting:

• WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol road-testing results
• Latest developments in the ISO 14067 standardisation process
• Perspective of PAS 2050. What will a revision bring?
• Product Category Rules: Status of international harmonisation
• Mandatory carbon labelling in France: What are the impacts?
• What drives climate conscious consumer behaviour? What role can product design play?
• Debate: Carbon labelling in the perception of the consumer

The two-day Fourth PCF World Summit “From Standardisation to Communication” will take place on October 20-21, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

Register online or through the offline fax registration form until July 30th to enjoy the early bird discount.

Singapore announced the introduction of a carbon label for the end of 2010. The methodology will be based on PAS 2050 and the draft standard ISO 14067. It will also incorporate conclusions drawn from international best practice on PCF. The life cycle phases to be assessed include: raw material extraction, production, transport and use phase. The label is developed by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SimTech) in collaboration with various industry organisations like the International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Singapore Manufacturers´ Federation (Sma). The purpose of the Singapore Carbon Label is to improve the competitiveness of the national export sector and to raise the consumers´climate consciousness alike.

The ISO work item on “carbon footprint of products”, originally planned for completion in March 2011, will now be officially moved forward to “Committee Draft” status. At the same time, the timeline for completion is likely extended into 2012 to allow for more time in resolving individual issues.

Find out more about standardisation activities and the world of product carbon footprinting in the latest issue of “The PCF World Forum News”.

Have You Registered Yet?

This March, the 3rd PCF World Summit will convene to present and discuss best practices in supply chain GHG management and business sector approaches to product carbon footprinting. To register for your pass, visit the PCF World Forum Webshop.

On March 17 & 18, 2010 in Berlin, Germany, the 3rd PCF World Summit features two days of talks and discussions by leading representatives from business programs, stakeholder organizations, and country initiatives in the field of product carbon footprinting. Building on the success of the previous two PCF World Summits, the 3rd PCF World Summit is the world’s leading forum for highlighting and reporting on the latest developments in product carbon footprinting.

Speakers confirmed for the 3rd PCF World Summit:

• Cees-Jan Adema (PepsiCo, Chair European Beverage Association)
• Adisa Azapagic (Manchester University, UK)
• Matthew Bateson (World Business Council for Sustainable Development/WBSCD)
• Jacob Bilabel (Thema1, Germany)
• Soledad Blanco (DG Environment, EU Commission)
• Sylvain Chevassus (Environmental Ministry, France)
• Carrina Gaffney (Eco:Metrics The Guardian, UK)
• Prof. Shabbir H. Gheewala (Thai Carbon Label, Thailand)
• Björn Hannappel (Deutsche Post DHL, Germany)
• Stephen Heal (Sustainable Consumption Institute, UK)
• Prof. Atsushi Inaba ( Carbon Footprint Program, Japan)
• Gyusoo Joe (Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, South Korea)
• Jürgen Knirsch (Greenpeace, Germany)
• Thomas Kützemeier (mcongressconsult GmbH, Germany)
• Euan Murray (Carbon Trust, UK)
• Rita Schenck (American Center for Life Cycle Assesment, USA)
• Rasmus Priess (PCF World Forum, Germany)
• Luke Upchurch (Consumers International, UK)
• Fokko Wientjes (DSM, Netherlands)

* Download Full Programme_PCF_World_Summit_2010.

If you haven’t already registered, don’t miss out on this important opportunity to gain up-to-date insights and network with the organizations driving product carbon footprinting today.

Register Now!

The two-day 3rd PCF World Summit “Sector Approaches to Product Carbon Footprinting” will take place March 17-18, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

Register online, or use the Fax Registration Form to order your pass.