Carbon footprint labels should be displayed on new products say MPs

Labels showing a product's carbon footprint should be displayed on goods and services to help consumers tackle climate change, according to an influential committee of MPs

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent Last Updated: 12:00PM GMT 23 Mar 2009

Some foods are already displaying "carbon reduction labels" alongside the ingredients to show how much of the greenhouse gas was produced in the manufacture of a product.
However a report from the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said a proliferation of different environmental labels are confusing for consumers and allow companies to appear more eco-friendly than they actually are in a method known as "greenwash"

The committee wants a robustly monitored system of environmental labels to show the impact of each product, including labels showing the carbon emissions produced, so that consumers can make a more informed choice.
Colin Challen, a member of the committee, said it was essential goods display carbon content if consumers are to help the UK meet its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
"Given the challenge we face in decarbonising the economy, the committee believes carbon labelling may prove the single most important environmental measure in promoting behavioural change at home, at work and in business," he said.
Euan Murray, general manager of the Carbon Trust, the Government-backed body in charge of helping business cut greenhouse gases, has been piloting a Carbon Reduction Label with Tesco, Walkers Crisps and Pepsi among other businesses.
"The Carbon Reduction Label means that a company has measured the carbon emissions from every stage of the lifecycle of its product," he said.
"Consumers can then make choices about a product or service, and understand the impact that their decisions will have on climate change. And the UK will make bigger steps towards Government's carbon emission reduction targets as a result."