The calculator has taken two years to develop and is in collaboration with BPIF, the Paper Profile Secretariat, Polestar and Menzies. It is based on analysis from paper and packaging consultancy Edge.

Publishers can calculate all of the supply chain stages for a magazine and the carbon footprint of a title, as well as the impact of the magazine production process.

Colette Mahon, chair of PPA’s (Periodical Publishers Association) carbon footprint working group, said PPA had taken into account all of the supply chain stages when defining the calculator's boundaries. This will include the production of raw materials, printing, finishing and supply.

Mahon claimed the calculator "broadly achieves" the supply chain specific requirements of PAS 2050.

"In line with recommendations of PAS 2050, any impacts associated with the natural carbon cycle of the forests used as a source of fibre are excluded from the footprint calculation," she said.

Currently, there are a number of print sector calculators, including one from BPIF and Polestar.

Mahon said: "PPA's Carbon Calculator is specific to the magazine supply chain and is free for all of its members to use.

"Our current understanding is that the UK mooted interest in carbon footprints very early on and started to develop project scopes to tackle the issue some two to three years ago. 

"Our pan-European colleagues are at different levels of progress on the same journey, but we all have the same end goal given future EU carbon reduction targets."

FIPP World Magazine Congress will be held from 4-6 May at Old Billingsgate, London.