Introduction

The European Commission launched Environmental Footprint methods to measure and communicate the environmental performance of products (both goods and services) and organizations across their life cycle, from raw material extraction or cultivation to the end-of-life management, via production, distribution, and use.

These methods, Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF), are now being referred to in EU legislation. The proposed regulations for Ecodesign Regulation of photovoltaic (PV) modules and Battery regulation includes requirements on the maximum climate impact of these products. This climate impact will be calculated using the PEF methodology and its related Product Category Rules (PEFCR) for photovoltaics. Since this will be the first time a piece of legislation using the PEF methodology comes into to force, it may become a precedent for future use of PEF in a policy context.

The rules for modelling the electricity supply in the draft PV Regulation do not reflect the calculation rules in the most recent PEF guidelines. These rules, in turn, have been criticized for lack of clarity and for allowing for greenwashing.

Aim of project

The project aims to investigate the need for revised texts regarding the modelling of electricity production in the EU Ecodesign Regulation for photovoltaics and in the general PEF rules. Furthermore, to propose suggestions for such revisions. These revisions will have an impact on the Battery Regulation since this also refers to the PEF method.

Expected outcomes

In a first stage, researchers will develop tentative proposals based on input from literature and key actors. In a possible second stage these proposals can be refined through communication with actors and stakeholders in Sweden and other Nordic countries.

Project report