Tesco trials carbon labelling
Published : April 2008
Tesco is to pilot a carbon labelling scheme on 20 of its own brand products in conjunction with the Carbon Trust.
The supermarket will trial the scheme with the aim of offering customers the opportunity to better monitor their own carbon footprint. The labels will be displayed on twenty own label products under categories including orange juice and light bulbs, and will show the carbon footprint for each product, calculated by measuring its carbon emissions through its lifecycle. Some labels will compare an item’s carbon footprint against similar products; in addition, some may display tips on how to cook, use or dispose of the product.
Tesco has said it is piloting the scheme in response to customer concern about climate change. In a statement, Tesco said: “Engaging consumers is vital both because they control over 60 per cent of emissions through their own actions and because, as consumers and voters, they can encourage business and government to make their contributions to tackling climate change. “
The pilot scheme will run for two years from April. Tesco has said it aims to halve its own emissions from existing stores and distribution centres worldwide by 2020.