The term ‘carbon footprint’ was supposedly popularised in an advertising campaign by the oil giant BP in 2003. Since then, it has become a widely used and understood climate change term. Most people associate it with the greenhouse gases emitted in the production of the food they eat or the goods they buy. Now the concept is being adapted to a world in which countries are progressing to net zero at markedly different rates.
‘Mass balance’, is a less well known expression. It has been repurposed from the world of chemical engineering by brand owners and manufacturers who mix together similar materials that have different environmental attributes. So, they might purchase both certified deforestation-free palm oil and conventional palm oil to make a fried snack. But it is not economic to separate the different types of palm oil, so they are processed together. The brand who wants to say that they use only responsible palm oil in their snack, has a certain quantity of (higher priced) deforestation-free palm oil allocated to them. The packaging should indicate that the contents contain 100% certified sustainable palm oil by mass balance. The certification scheme’s auditor checks that the quantities purchased, tally with the sales of the snack.
Perhaps it was only a matter of time before mass balance would be applied to carbon footprints, because some countries are pushing companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than others. Therefore, international brands may want to supply a low carbon product in one country where there is a demand, and the same product with a higher carbon intensity elsewhere. The chemicals industry is key to this new decarbonisation effort. Their chemicals, solvents and plastics are present in numerous products from paints to packaging and trainers to toys and they are keen to offer lower carbon alternatives.
How might this work in practice? Carbon savings from new technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) or renewable electricity are allocated to just part of the production of a chemical or plastic at a site. This would result in a limited quantity of material with a very low or even zero carbon footprint for those that can pay extra. Other customers would be purchasing the same material, without the savings attached, at a lower price. An auditor checks that the calculation is carried out correctly.
Sustainability Schemes are developing new Standards to cover both the conventional and the new mass balanced carbon footprint calculation methodology. ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) in Europe has applied the concept to milk as well as materials including silicon and plastics. The idea can be extended to metals, particularly those that are energy intensive, such as aluminium. To guard against greenwashing, and to ensure a meaningful carbon saving, SCS (Scientific Certification Services) in the US requires that a minimum 5% of production has a mass balanced carbon footprint.
How will companies communicate this information? The carbon footprint of lower carbon foods such as oat milk is beginning to appear on packaging, so customers are being educated about the concept. However, a mass balanced carbon intensity will require explanatory text and brands may choose to do this on their website.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be very expensive. It is going to take new laws, different trade arrangements and changes in individual behaviour to get to net zero. Climate conscious consumers can decide to catch the train rather than fly. They can eat less meat, move to renewable electricity and recycle. Soon they will be able to choose a lower carbon footprint version of their favourite products.
Published: 1 November 24
