Cefic says improved carbon accountancy necessary for new EU PEF policy

In Belgium, achieving more sustainable carbon cycles in Europe can only take place if the carbon accountancy is right, concludes Cefic in its latest position paper concerning the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). The European Commission plans to apply the PEF method as the guiding approach for environmental impact assessment. Currently, this methodology does not incentivise the use of bio-based materials, and there is no recognised benefit granted for the use of biogenic carbon at the beginning of the life cycle over the use of fossil carbon.

In other words, a cradle-to-gate life-cycle analysis using the PEF methodology, does not give credit to biomass-derived products where CO2 was removed from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and plant growth. To incentivise the use of bio-based products, Cefic proposes an alternative method to assess the carbon footprint of bio-based products, as well as a more supportive policy framework.

Earlier in July, nine European associations, jointly representing industries producing bio-based products, proposed an alternative methodology towards an accurate accounting for carbon from biomass in the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). Aligned, Cefic is convinced that the use of that methodology will be more intuitive and transparent, besides being ISO and CEN compliant. It will show the actual difference in CO2 footprint between biomass-derived and fossil products at each and every stage of the life cycle.

Additionally, it will avoid the challenges of double counting of CO2 credits, since all “end-of-life” CO2 emissions will have to be counted as contributing to climate change, whether biogenic or fossil-based. Finally, it can enable consumers to make an informed purchasing decision, based on the demonstrated and transparent climate benefits of bio-based solutions.