Introduction
In April 2023, Sonepar launched its Purpose, Powering Progress for Future Generations, with 6 bold commitments. One of these commitments is called “Sustainable Customer Journey,” which aims to empower customers with the knowledge and tools they need to make environmentally responsible choices.
More and more customers, small, medium and large installers as well as industrial companies are asking for comprehensive CO2 information to help them manage and reduce their carbon footprint. Inability to provide this information is not an option for Sonepar. The group also recognizes the electrical industry is not mature enough yet to cover its entire portfolio with Carbon data and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) from its suppliers.
In this journey, Sonepar believes that now is the time to provide Product Carbon Footprint information at scale to Customers. The Group therefore developed the Product Carbon Footprint, an AI-powered innovation launched in 2025 to cover its portfolio with a Carbon Footprint. Meanwhile, Sonepar will support in parallel any initiative to improve industry standards regarding Carbon Footprint comparability and accessibility.
What is the Product Carbon Footprint?
The Product Carbon Footprint is an indicator in kg CO2 equivalent per product originating either directly from the information provided by a supplier or from an estimate calculated by Sonepar. CO2 equivalent is a unit of measurement used to compare different greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, etc.), based on a common reference point, carbon dioxide (CO2).
The Group encourages its suppliers to present for each of their products the Carbon footprint in kg CO2-eq or contribution to global warming by providing their data. When received by Sonepar, this information is directly displayed on the product description.
When Sonepar does not receive this information from its suppliers, Sonepar provides a supplier-agnostic order of magnitude of CO2-eq emissions at product level by making estimates based on available information.
Sonepar then displays the total kg CO2-eq on the Product Page, which is calculated over the entire life cycle of the product from the extraction of raw materials (cradle) through production, assembly, and (re)use to waste processing (grave).
An uncertainty factor (markup or penalty) is also applied to this estimate to account for the additional uncertainty compared to Carbon data and especially Environmental Product Declarations provided by suppliers. A disclaimer also informs customers that this CO2-eq information is only indicative of an order of magnitude.
How can I differentiate a Supplier declaration from a Sonepar estimate?
The information provided by a supplier is distinguished with a “Supplier declaration” icon while the information provided by Sonepar is displayed with a “Sonepar estimation” icon as presented below:
The “Supplier Declaration” icon indicates that CO2-eq related environmental data is available and declared by a supplier.
The “Sonepar estimation” icon indicates that the CO2-eq is based on the Sonepar methodology and provides an order of magnitude.
How does this benefit customers and end users?
Customers can aggregate CO2-eq data to calculate the total life-cycle emissions on quotes, large-scale projects or entire buildings. End customers will benefit from these results when calculating their own home’s or project’s carbon footprint. For regulatory purposes, it can also help customers perform their scope 3 carbon footprint assessment on the purchases of electrical products.
Are CO2-eq comparable between two products in the same category?
The Product Carbon Footprint should be used as an indicator to assess the order of magnitude of CO2-eq on a product.
Whether it originates from a Supplier Carbon footprint, Environmental Product Declaration or from a Sonepar estimate, Products should not be compared on this basis for the following reasons:
- Supplier Carbon footprint data and Environmental Product Declarations: Different Electricity mixes, databases, and measurements of technical characteristics are used by suppliers to calculate their CO2-eq on products. Therefore, CO2-eq from these declarations are not established on the same standards.
- Subcategorization of products: Regarding Sonepar estimate, the CO2-eq is determined on Product subcategories, a subdivision of the ETIM (ElectroTechnical Information Model), based on product features. It should therefore not be used to compare products in the same category with each other.
However, to a limited extend, the methodology can help customers make some arbitrage between different technologies. It is for example useful to compare fluorescent lamps versus LED lamps or heat pumps versus gas boilers as it provides an order of magnitude.
Can I use the Product Carbon worldwide?
It is acceptable to use it worldwide but some limitations apply. The use phase is usually the most important phase on electrical products when consuming energy. For Supplier declarations, the electricity mix usually retained is typically the European mix but can also be the local one at country level as indicated in the supplier document.
For the Sonepar estimate, and for simplicity purposes, the electricity mix retained is the European one. The European mix is approximately 213 gCO₂-eq/kWh in 2024, while the US mix is around 361 gCO2-eq / kWh (source: Ember European Electricity Review 2025).
Consequently, the use phase would be even more significant in the US. Hence, this approach can have limitations in non-European areas, but since comparisons are not made, it remains acceptable.
Where to find the Product Carbon Footprint?
The Product Carbon is displayed on the Sonepar countries e-commerce platforms. This initiative is managed by the Green Offer team within the Sonepar Digital Transformation team.
How is Product Carbon Footprint different from the Green Offer
In 2022, Sonepar launched the Green Offer, a world-first initiative to compare the environmental performance of products at an individual level. Based on an independently verified methodology, the Green Offer rates products with an ABC from their total life-cycle CO2-eq.
While more granular, the Green Offer is limited by the industry's maturity, particularly in terms of the availability and comparability of CO2 data and technical product characteristics. To address this, the Product Carbon Footprint initiative — combining Supplier Declared Carbon Data with Sonepar Estimates — aims to replace the Green Offer by providing order of magnitudes across a broader range of products in the portfolio.
Sonepar’s Commitment to a Sustainable Future
The launch of the Product Carbon Footprint initiative marks a significant step forward in delivering transparent greenhouse gas (GHG) data within the electrical equipment distribution sector. While this is a major milestone, there remains much work to be done. Sonepar is committed to accelerating this progress by showcasing the value of transparent emissions data and actively encouraging suppliers to publish more Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Sonepar aims to embed Sustainability in every step of Sonepar’s omnichannel customer journey, ensuring a fully sustainable purchasing experience. Through its digital platforms, Sonepar will integrate eco-responsibility into customer interactions—from product selection to delivery—empowering customers to make informed, environmentally conscious choices.
Looking ahead, Sonepar will continue to innovate with new services and digital tools designed to help customers measure, manage, and reduce their environmental footprint. These efforts aim to drive the long-term adoption of sustainable products and solutions from its suppliers, reinforcing collaboration across the supply chain.
This vision goes beyond carbon metrics. It forms part of a broader sustainability strategy focused on preserving the environment, conserving natural resources, and protecting people from hazardous substances. These priorities are increasingly urgent for society—and they are central to Sonepar’s enduring Purpose: Powering Progress for Future Generations.
