Aside from the location of impact, another important dimension in determining a product’s environmental footprint is the specific nature of the impact. To this end, the eco index framework lenses refer to the specific environmental impacts which are found within the product’s supply chain. Each lens may be viewed and managed discreetly at a particular lifecycle stage or across the entire lifecycle, if a total footprint is desired.

When the index is complete, each lens will have a minimum of one specific metric associated with it, coupled with a clear methodology as to how to determine the measure.

Note: for phase one of the index, only Water, Waste, Energy and GHG are in scope for full metrics footprinting. Some of the other lenses are incorporated into indicators—such as chemicals/toxics. The other lenses will be incorporated into the footprinting in later versions of the eco index.

Land Use Intensity (placeholder)

The intent of this lens is to recognize that there is an increasing demand on use of land to create feedstock, and to some degree the manufacturing of materials and finished products.

Water

One of our planet’s most precious—and threatened—resources. Water can be used in many ways along a product’s lifecycle. Some product types and lifecycle stages require massive amounts of water—and frequently only very clean water will suffice, creating scarcity for human and other forms of life

Waste

From excess non-reusable, non recyclable raw materials; to by-products in processing; to excessive, non reusable or recyclable packaging; to harmful and hazardous substances used in a variety of processes from extraction and farming—waste is prevalent throughout the lifecycle. This lens intends to capture this impact so that it may be associated with the finished product.

Biodiversity (placeholder)

As humans strive to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and scale of the production of the raw materials and finished products, there are often species which become victims of progress. This lens is intended to reflect this difficult to measure, but important to recognize, impact. Often the elimination or the pressuring of species can have ripple effects that go way beyond the immediate obvious impact.

Chemistry/Toxics – People (placeholder)

Frequently harmful substances are used in the supply chain. Most commonly in the materials lifecycle stage, but frequently in other stages such as manufacturing or even use and care. For many of these substances, they pose a direct threat to human health, whether it is the worker who may be exposed during production; to the community who lives in or near the production; to the end consumer who uses the product where the substance may be integral to, or residual within, the product. This lens concerns itself with the impact on people across the entire lifecycle.

Chemistry/Toxics – Environment (placeholder)

This lens is very similar to the Chemistry/Toxics-People, except it is solely intended to address all other direct substance impacts other than on people. For many of these substances, they pose a more significant threat to the environment—such as aquatic life.

Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)

How much and type of energy used, along with how much emissions (Carbon) are created and released—on behalf of the product—is a very important measure of environmental impact. This lens attempts to capture all three in a manner that allows for a true measure of impact attributed to the associated product.