Like forests sequester carbon from the air, the carbon handprint can help reduce emissions that occur as a result of using a product or service.

Carbon handprint

AFRY leverages the carbon handprint to inform strategic decision-making and support fact-based communication

Carbon handprint is a fact-based tool aligned with the Green Claims Directive1  used to measure and communicate the climate benefits of products, services and actions. In an ideal situation, the strategic decisions made are fully understood for their positive and negative climate impacts.

Regulatory and voluntary frameworks increasingly recommend identifying low-emission products and those capable of reducing emissions. Consequently, companies are now focused not only on minimising their carbon footprints but also on making a positive contribution to climate change mitigation efforts. For example, in this context, the current Finnish government aims to enhance its global handprint by exporting effective emission reduction solutions, as outlined in the government programme.

The concept of a carbon handprint refers to the beneficial climate impacts organisations can achieve by providing products and services that help others reduce their carbon footprints. The handprint calculation is based on two carbon footprints determined using a standardised method, with justified selections representing alternative solutions in the relevant market.

It should be noted that a carbon handprint can vary depending on the product or solution being replaced, the specific market and the volumes involved. The primary applications of the carbon handprint include strategic decision-making, communication and product development.

AFRY’s experienced experts have contributed to the development of standards for carbon footprints and the Carbon Handprint Guide.2  In addition, we have a strong track record in conducting high-quality carbon handprint studies, which inform strategic decision-making and support fact-based communication.3  With deep expertise in the bioindustry, energy, and manufacturing sectors, AFRY is ideally equipped to provide effective carbon handprint solutions that create significant impact across these industries.

Frequently asked questions

What is a carbon handprint? Arrow pointing right
  • A carbon handprint is a fact-based approach used to measure and communicate the climate benefits of products, services and actions.
  • It refers to the emission reductions that occur as a result of using a product or service.
What are the benefits and added value of measuring the carbon handprint of my products or services? Arrow pointing right
  • A measured carbon handprint offers valuable contributions to both regulatory and voluntary frameworks, including the Green Claims Directive, SBTi, CDP, and TCFD.
  • It provides holistic climate impact insights that support strategic decision-making and facilitate the development of the most impactful solutions and applications.
  • Additionally, it supplies fact-based information that can be used in external communication with investors, policymakers and clients.
How are carbon handprints created? Arrow pointing right
  • Carbon handprints are typically created by using materials and energy more efficiently, replacing or avoiding carbon-intensive materials, reducing waste, recycling, reusing materials or products or extending service life.
What are the differences between a carbon handprint and footprint? Arrow pointing right
  • Handprints and footprints are complementary quantification methods supporting complementary goals:
    • Companies aim to minimise their carbon footprint, i.e. the absolute GHG emissions in their value chain.
    • Companies aim to maximise their carbon handprint, i.e. a change in the market creating positive impacts as a result of using a product or service.
Can my company become carbon neutral with the help of a carbon handprint? Arrow pointing right
  • No, a handprint shall always be reported separately from:
    • Carbon footprints
    • Offsets and credits
Is the carbon handprint aligned with the Green Claims Directive? Arrow pointing right
  • Yes, the carbon handprint offers a fact-based, holistic tool addressing the requirements of the Green Claims Directive.
  • AFRY has strong expertise in the requested methodologies. For calculating carbon footprints, AFRY follows the international standard ISO 14067 and applies the Carbon Handprint Guide v.2.0 for the quantification of the handprint.
  • 1. https://afry.com/en/competence/green-claims-directive a↩
  • 2. https://publications.vtt.fi/julkaisut/muut/2021/Carbon_handprint_guide_2021.pdf a↩
  • 3. https://afry.com/en/newsroom/news/how-can-forests-contribute-climate-benefits a↩

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