A newly launched report from Forum for the Future looks at the topic of carbon labelling and its potential role in helping consumers to be more environmentally responsible.
Glasshouse client LRQA sponsored the report entitled “Check-out Carbon” and written by the UK-based sustainable development charity.
Two-thirds of those surveyed for the report wanted retailers to act as their guardian in removing the most egregious products from the shelves. Even more (77%) wanted the government to set higher environmental standards while 85% wanted more information about product impacts.
The report analyses research from an independent survey of 1000 UK adults as well as conducting interviews with industry experts and focus groups.
The survey also lists a series of actionable recommendations for government, retailers, and manufacturers to take action on carbon labelling. These include focusing on material problems such as food waste and inefficient electrical appliances as well as those products with high impacts during consumer use. The report also suggests that carbon labels should aim to empower consumers by being placed only on select products at first and by supplying options not just information to shoppers.
Free copies of the full report can be downloaded here.