Health & Pollution
Climate Change
IntentFugitive emissions released to the atmosphere during the manufacture or use of a product can result in atmospheric impacts that harm humans and existing eco-systems on a global scale. Releases of household and automotive refrigerants contribute to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer leading to higher incidence of skin cancer in humans, deformities in key indicator species such as frogs and lizards, and retarded reproduction mechanisms of many plant species. Greenhouse gas emissions such as those associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, the raising of livestock, or the growing and harvesting of many agricultural applications contribute to global warming, reduced crop yields, degradation in aquatic and non-aquatic eco-systems, reduced water supplies and many other aspects of the environment on a global scale. This category evaluates and rewards products and product systems that minimize or eliminate fugitive or uncontrolled releases of substances contributing to global warming or stratospheric ozone depletion throughout the life-cycle of the product.
IdealThere are no fugitive or airborne emissions of green house gases or ozone depleting substances at any time over the life-cycle of the product or product system.
Key MetricsReleases of green house gases such as CO2, NO, and methane; Releases of ODP compounds such as CFCs and HCFCs.
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