Method for Creating a Climate Data Sheet

The purpose of the climate data sheet is to enhance the competitiveness of environmentally conscious subcontractors and their customers by disclosing the climate impact of an existing or future article they intend to offer. This allows the customer to make an informed choice to increase the sustainability of their product. Reporting the article’s climate impact provides increased customer value, benefiting the suppliers who can attach a Climate Data Sheet to their articles.

The Climate Data Sheet reports climate impact in CO2eq (carbon dioxide equivalents). The calculations are based on energy, material, logistics, and production data from the previous year. The calculation method can be used for both articles in production and future articles where the material and manufacturing process are known. The method for creating a Climate Data Sheet follows a standardized process. After training and initial support, a company’s own staff can create a Climate Data Sheet for any chosen article. If desired, third-party validation of the method can be carried out, further increasing the customer value of the Climate Data Sheet.

The method is based on the company’s climate impact from a simplified life cycle perspective (cradle to gate). Building the company’s own calculation model requires initial training and support from an approved consultant. Currently, you can choose between consultants Greengoat, EDAG, or AFRY, while RISE is responsible for third-party validation.

The Climate Data Sheet cannot be equated with a full LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) or EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), but the work underlying the reporting provides valuable insight and knowledge about the company’s and articles’ climate impact from the origin of raw materials to delivery at the company’s gate.

Input to the Calculation Model

The calculation of a future article’s climate impact is based on a mix of primary and secondary data. Primary data comes from the company’s operations, such as data on energy use, raw materials, consumables, and transportation. Secondary data (generic) is obtained from official databases, such as Ecoinvent, or reports. Where there are historical primary data, including EPD or LCA data, these are used in the first place. Alternatively, secondary data is used when calculating the climate impact for future articles produced with materials or processes where primary data is lacking.

For raw materials, a percentage estimate is made of the amount of recycled material to be used. If the percentage of recycled material is unknown, the calculation assumes 100% virgin material, which affects the calculated climate impact. Logistics data is based on where the company’s subcontractors are located and the respective mode of transportation to the company.

Since the method is based on documented material and process data from the previous year, environmental improvements made during the current year cannot be accounted for in climate calculations during the same year. However, the effects of implemented improvements will be reflected in the next year’s update of primary data and will lower the reported climate impact in the Climate Data Sheet.

The offer to companies also includes third-party review by RISE, which has developed a validation program for the current method. Request a quote for management system certification or verification/validation from RISE.

The development of a Climate Data Sheet follows a structured process.

This process has been designed so that all companies, with support in the form of training and coaching in method development, can become capable and qualified to independently create Climate Data Sheets for future articles.

The company contacts a chosen consultant and establishes a collaboration agreement. The effort required for creating a Climate Data Sheet varies depending on the company’s size, the complexity of the articles, and the staff’s knowledge and prior experience with sustainability work. As a rough estimate, the initial creation of a Climate Data Sheet takes approximately 80 hours for the company. Please note that this time estimate pertains to the first Climate Data Sheet; subsequent sheets will require less time as a significant portion of the company’s data has already been collected.

With the support of the consultant, the company submits the developed documentation for validation by a third party, in this case, RISE. In cases of significant changes within the company, such as personnel changes or major alterations in production conditions, a new validation may be required for creating future Climate Data Sheets.

The process involves the following steps:

Workshop 1 – Initiation:

The company gets basic training and knowledge about sustainability in general and climate calculations specifically.

Methodology and detailed tools for creating Climate Data Sheets are introduced.

The consultant provides support as needed.

Workshop 2:

Detailed exploration of emission factors and how to calculate their carbon footprint.

More comprehensive knowledge about the methodology, including calculating environmental impact, data collection, and the importance of identifying and using accurate data.

Following the workshop, the company begins its work in identifying and gathering the necessary data for the Climate Data Sheet.

The consultant provides support as needed.

Company Visit:

This step is often combined with Workshop 2.

The consultant visits the supplier to gain a deeper understanding of operations by examining processes and material flows.

The visit primarily focuses on the company’s data collection efforts for filling in the inventory template but also explores opportunities for improving internal process flows.

After the company visit, the consultant, in collaboration with the company, finalizes a model used in the calculation of the Climate Data Sheet.

Subsequently, the company possesses a company-specific tool and model for independently calculating and reporting the climate impact for different articles in the form of a Climate Data Sheet.

Validation of the Method for Creating a Climate Data Sheet:

The consultant submits information about the company’s process for creating Climate Data Sheets to RISE for validation.

Validation includes not only a review of the methodology but also random checks on calculations and underlying data. It also entails an evaluation of the documented competence of individuals responsible for creating the Climate Data Sheets.

Once validation is completed, RISE issues a report to the company, allowing the creation and communication of Climate Data Sheets to customers as needed.

The validation of the company’s internal process has a validity period of one year and must be updated annually. Please note that each unique Climate Data Sheet is not individually validated; instead, the internal process and the company’s ability to adhere to it during the creation of Climate Data Sheets are validated. The current established method serves as the requirement document for validation and is kept updated by a reference group.

Creating Climate Data Sheets for Additional Articles:

After the company has gone through the described process, it should possess the knowledge and competence required to independently undertake most of the work involved in creating Climate Data Sheets for future articles. The company needs to update its calculation models and data annually and submit new materials for validation. There may be a need for external consulting support in specific areas, such as emission factors for new raw materials.

The cost of training, coaching, method development, and process validation is significantly lower than the cost of conducting a complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for each article. Additionally, time considerations are important; the time required to complete an LCA, which can be several months, is generally not deemed realistic during customer quoting. In contrast, after some training, a Climate Data Sheet can be developed in less than a day.

For quotes and pricing, companies can contact consultants and RISE separately.

Welcome to contact any of our consultants to learn more and to start your work.

Greengoat Hållbarhetsbyrå: Åsa Backman – asa.backman@greeng.se, +46 70 234 64 95

EDAG: Cecilia Schülén – cecilia.schulen@edag.se, +46 70 649 84 97

AFRY: Anna-Karin Jörnbrink – anna-karin.jonbrink@afry.com, +46 70 780 61 26

RISE: Lisa Bour – lisa.bour@ri.se, +46 76 147 63 58

For information regarding the validation of climate data sheets, please contact:

RISE: Sophia Engström – sophia.engstrom@ri.se, +46 70 62 75 743

The method developed has been described and published in more detailed form by RISE.

The full description of the method can be found here.