What is Raw Material Emissions?
Carbon emissions from extracting and processing raw materials used in manufacturing. Raw material emissions often represent a major component of a product's total carbon footprint.
Why it matters
Raw material choices are among the highest-leverage decisions a manufacturer can make for carbon reduction. Switching to recycled, bio-based, or lower-carbon alternatives can dramatically change a product's overall footprint.
Example
A packaging company switches from virgin aluminium to 75% recycled aluminium for its containers. The recycled material requires 95% less energy to process, reducing the raw material emissions component from 4.2 to 0.6 kg CO₂e per unit.
Related terms
Embodied Carbon
The total greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction, manufacture, transport, and assembly of materials used in a product or building. Embodied carbon is distinct from operational emissions that occur during use.
Scope 3 Emissions
All other indirect emissions occurring in an organisation's value chain, both upstream and downstream. Scope 3 typically represents 70-90% of a company's total carbon footprint and includes emissions from suppliers, business travel, employee commuting, and product use.
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