uvex safety, a leading innovator in the world of PPE, has announced a significant step towards sustainability and environmental accountability. In an effort to provide customers with a comprehensive view of the company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, uvex has initiated the calculation of the carbon footprint across a number of its products.
uvex is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner and recognises the urgent need to address the challenges posed by climate change. To align with the goals set out by the European Green Deal, uvex has set itself the ambitious goal of climate neutrality by 2045 – 5 years ahead of the European schedule and therefore, it was important for uvex to measure and understand its current carbon emissions. This process allows uvex to identify opportunities for reducing its environmental impact while enhancing its product offerings.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint represents the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), associated with resource consumption, manufacturing processes, transportation, and energy usage during a product’s entire lifecycle. uvex’s carbon footprint calculations encompass the cradle-to-customer principle due to the environments in which its products can be used and European countries processing waste or end-of-life products differently. By doing so, uvex aims to identify areas for potential emissions reduction through hotspot analysis and to communicate their sustainability performance both internally and externally. Furthermore, this data will help to form the basis for informing future design and product development processes.
Methodology for Calculating Carbon Footprints
uvex employs a robust methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of its products, adhering to the international standard ISO 14067. This involves the use of SimaPro software and the ecoinvent database’s cut-off system model, combined with data sourced from our suppliers and datasets based on our own measurements. The calculation method adheres to the following parameters: IPCC 2021 GWP 100a (based on ISO 14067), SimaPro, Database ecoinvent, with a scope covering the entire lifecycle from cradle to customer. It is important to note that the CO₂ values presented are applicable to the specific calculation period and may be subject to periodic adjustments.
Clair Weston, Marketing Manager at uvex, states: “At uvex, we are dedicated to taking a proactive stance on environmental sustainability. By providing our customers with the carbon footprint of our products, we aim to empower them with the knowledge to make more informed and responsible choices. This is an exciting step towards a more sustainable future.
“uvex is committed to making a positive impact on the environment and reducing our carbon footprint. We look forward to sharing our progress with our customers, partners, and stakeholders as we continue to lead the way in environmental transparency and sustainability.”
