REQUIREMENTS OF A CARBON FOOTPRINTING TOOL FOR DESIGNERS
Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Malmqvist, J.
Author: Trimingham, Rhoda; Garcia-Noriega, Sofia
Series: ICED
Section: Design for X, Design to X
Page(s): 336-345
Abstract
This paper present the outcomes so far of a project to develop ‘co2ncept’, a carbon footprinting tool for product design concepts. It is clear that in order to be successful and useful to designers the tool must meet certain critical criteria These criteria, including level of detail, language, assessment, information, visualisation, education, strategy, detail, user experience and interface are discussed. The project has already faced a number of challenges, including assumptions and boundaries, making carbon meaningful and sharing data. These are discussed. The paper concludes that the resulting carbon footprinting tool will need to assess the carbon footprint of a concept in a quantitatively accurate manner, allowing key aspects to be identified, hot-spots to be explored and provide strategic recommendations for improvement. It will serve as a quick assessment tool, but also as a communication and educational channel for environmental sustainability. It will help designers to identify opportunities while also creating awareness of the environmental impact of their decisions.
Keywords: NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT; DESIGNERS; CARBON FOOTPRINTING