> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://knowledge.co2ai.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://knowledge.co2ai.com/provide-product-emissions-data/what-is-a-product-carbon-footprint-pcf.md).

# What is a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)?

Where as PCF is focused on greenhouse gas emissions (CO2), a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can take more impact categories into account, such as land use, water use and ocean acidification.

The PCF measures the carbon equivalent emissions attributable to a product. It is not linked to a specific timeframe, and include all the lifecycle stages and by-products involved in producing a product

It estimate the total emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) associated with a specific product throughout its life cycle

**Cradle-to-gate PCF** includes product related emissions of scope 1, 2and of upstream Scope 3 emissions

**Cradle-to-grave PCF** includes product related emissions of all scopes (1, 2 et all of scope 3including downstream emissions)

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