Raspberry Pi tackled the calculation of embodied carbon in its products, revealing that the conventional weight-based emissions accounting for silicon chips was misleading. The company collaborated with researchers from Cornell and Columbia, employing the MicroGreen model, which takes into account factors like die area, process technology, and manufacturing yield. This new methodology allowed for a 30% reduction in the product life cycle assessment (LCA), improving the accuracy of reported data. The MicroGreen approach led to a deeper understanding of the emissions related to the silicon used, informing future design and sourcing decisions.

Critical Analysis

This innovative approach by Raspberry Pi highlights the importance of more precise models in carbon emissions assessment. Recognizing that the embodied carbon in silicon chips cannot be solely calculated via a weight-based method is crucial for more sustainable production. However, it is essential to consider the scalability of such methodologies for other manufacturers and sectors. Furthermore, there is a need for ongoing updates to the data in the database to ensure that the model remains relevant and accurate over time.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
30% reduction in emissions	Requires specialized know-how
Increased accuracy in reporting	May take more time
Better understanding of silicon	Limited to specific chips
Scalable model for others	Need for reliable data

Sources

Author: Roger Thornton
URL: https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/a-better-model-for-silicon-quantifying-chip-carbon-with-columbia-and-cornell/
Publication Date: 2026-08-28

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