Chapter 1 Introduction to the eco-design methodology and the role of Product Carbon Footprint Esther Sanyé-Mengual a, *, Raul García Lozano a,b , Ramon Farreny a,b , Jordi Oliver-Solà a,b , Carles M. Gasol a,b , Joan Rieradevall a,c a Sostenipra (ICTA-IRTA-Inèdit) – Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB s/n, 08193, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain b Inèdit – Inèdit Innovació SL. UAB Research Park. IRTA, 08348, Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain. c Chemical Engineering Department (XRB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain *Corresponding author: Esther.Sanye@uab.cat Abstract Eco-design is used as a tool in the manufacturing and services sectors for improving the sustainability of products by integrating environmental aspects into the design stage, where most of the product impacts are determined. Laws (e.g., EU eco-design directive) and international schemes (e.g., ISO 14006) have encouraged the use of eco-design in companies, as well as the literature has reflected the advances in methodology and the widespread of case studies in different economic sectors. This chapter aims to show a combined Design for Environment (DfE) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for implementing eco- design in companies. The steps and tools of the methodology, as well as the most common strategies are described. Product Carbon footprint (PCF) has an important role in the methodology in two main ways. First, PCF is one of the indicators that can be calculated with LCA, being an understandable environmental indicator used in companies not only as quantitative data of the current environmental performance but also as benchmark for further improvements. Second, PCF is used as strategy for environmental communication to consumers through eco-labeling. The main strength of Carbon Footprint is that stakeholders (business and consumers) are aware of and understand its meaning due to the presence of carbon emissions and global warming in mass media and public science studies. Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Eco-design strategies, Industrial ecology, Sustainable manufacturing, ISO14006, eco-innovation