The increasing demand for environmental information on the global warming impact of
products requires a solid methodological framework which guarantees comparability and
communicability. The publicly available specification PAS 2050 combines approaches to a
variety of greenhouse gas specific assessment issues to deliver a globally applicable product
Carbon Footprinting (CF) method, which is expected to be widely accepted. Specifically, this
paper aims to demonstrate the implementation of a CF scheme for a common canned
mussel product according to PAS 2050 guidelines. A final value of 4.35 kg CO2e per triple pack
of round cans of mussels was calculated. Furthermore, this CF study led to identify primary
packaging (can production) and mussel shell management as the main activities where
efforts should focus for climate change mitigation. Throughout this case study, CF opportunities
and drawbacks are discussed. The whole text tries to provide a starting point for
both mussel processors and policy makers to benefit from the potential advantages of a
responsible use of this increasingly popular tool.