Abstract
Demonstrating the environmental impacts of products should follow a transparent methodology to prevent both greenwashing and greenhushing in sustainability communication.
The “Carbon Handprint Guide v.2.0 - Applicable for Environmental Handprint*” outlines an approach for these assessments. Its framework includes more than just measuring footprint reduction, as it defines a handprint as “the beneficial environmental impacts that organisations can achieve and communicate by
offering products and services that reduce the footprints of others”.
Prior to the typical LCA scoping phase, the handprint method requires setting the handprint scope, i.e., identifying the function of the offered solution, the potential handprint contributors, the environmental impacts/ benefits, the beneficiaries of the offered solutions and the baseline scenario. The resulting handprint is calculated as the difference between the impact of the baseline solution and the impact of the proposed solution.
This contribution examines the use of the environmental handprint method for assessing innovative technologies in tertiary wastewater treatment, including a sample calculation. The handprint is characterized as a reduction in specified emissions (such as Al, Cd, Pb) identified before implementing the technology, with the company operating the wastewater treatment plant as the beneficiary. A comparison with the baseline (the state prior to adopting the new solution) demonstrates how the technology’s impact on sustainable
transitions can be quantified.
The “Carbon Handprint Guide v.2.0 - Applicable for Environmental Handprint*” outlines an approach for these assessments. Its framework includes more than just measuring footprint reduction, as it defines a handprint as “the beneficial environmental impacts that organisations can achieve and communicate by
offering products and services that reduce the footprints of others”.
Prior to the typical LCA scoping phase, the handprint method requires setting the handprint scope, i.e., identifying the function of the offered solution, the potential handprint contributors, the environmental impacts/ benefits, the beneficiaries of the offered solutions and the baseline scenario. The resulting handprint is calculated as the difference between the impact of the baseline solution and the impact of the proposed solution.
This contribution examines the use of the environmental handprint method for assessing innovative technologies in tertiary wastewater treatment, including a sample calculation. The handprint is characterized as a reduction in specified emissions (such as Al, Cd, Pb) identified before implementing the technology, with the company operating the wastewater treatment plant as the beneficiary. A comparison with the baseline (the state prior to adopting the new solution) demonstrates how the technology’s impact on sustainable
transitions can be quantified.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 12th International Conference on Life Cycle Management |
| Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings |
| Publisher | LCM Conference |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-00-084166-8 |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Sept 2025 |
| Event | 12th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, LCM 2025 - Palermo, Italy Duration: 10 Sept 2025 → 12 Sept 2025 https://www.lcm2025.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 12th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, LCM 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Palermo |
| Period | 10/09/25 → 12/09/25 |
| Internet address |
