Thursday, August 27, 2009

Japan to begin carbon footprint labeling scheme

Japan is to take carbon footprint labels on food packaging and other products in an ambitious scheme to influence companies and consumers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The labels, to show on dozens of items including food , drink, detergents and electrical appliances from next mechanism, will go further than similar labels already in use elsewhere.

They will provide detailed break of each product's carbon footprint in a government-approved calculation and labeling system.

The labels will illustrate how much carbon dioxide is emitted during the manufacture, sharing and clearance of each product, the ministry said. The Japanese campaign is loosely modeled on a British pilot scheme involving Tesco and several other firms, though that scheme has yet to gain official approval.

Furthermore, the trade ministry's told the Guardian: "We believe our labeling will provide more detailed information, to allow consumers to make the best possible choice."

Officials decided to sketch up a uniform method of labeling carbon emissions to alleviate fears among some firms that their competitors may use in-house calculations to produce the lowest possible emissions data.

To support the scheme, the ministry has released details about the carbon footprint left by a packet of crisps. A single bag produces 75 grams of carbon dioxide, 44% of which comes from growing potatoes, with another 30% produced during the production stage. The packaging accounts for an additional 15%, while the delivery and disposal of the bag contains account for 9% and 2%, respectively.

Shoppers will be informed how much CO2 is produced by the machinery used to plant barley and hops, during production and transportation, and also in recycling process.

Although the labeling scheme is intended, few firms want to be seen to be covering behind competitors in the rush to corner the growing market in eco-friendly products.

The government decides to put carbon-capture technology - the storage of CO2 produced by power plants and factories - in place by 2020.

In a recent survey almost 80% of shoppers are willing to spend no more than an extra 2,000 yen (£10) a month on energy-saving vehicles and other eco-friendly products.

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