Product carbon footprint label
If you are looking to make more sustainable purchasing decisions, look for the Carbon Trust label. It verifies that a brand is working to measure and reduce a product’s carbon emissions.
What is the product carbon footprint label?
What is a product carbon footprint?
A life cycle product carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product, from extraction of raw materials, to end-of-life. It is measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).
Product footprints should be associated with a scope or boundary, the most common being:- Cradle-to-gate: mostly used for business-to-business (B2B) products. This measures the total greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to product manufacture up to the factory gate.
- Cradle-to-grave: mostly used for business-to-consumer (B2C) products. This measures the total greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to the product’s manufacture, distribution, use and eventual disposal.
What products can I buy?
Why is the label important?
*YouGov research 2023, conducted in 11 global markets
Why the Carbon Trust?
Our label portfolio – from September 2023
The Carbon Trust has offered a range of product carbon footprint labels since 2007, including a carbon neutral verification since 2012.From September 2023 we are no longer offering the carbon neutral verification. This verification has played a critical role in setting businesses on the path to Net Zero, and laying the foundations for a new portfolio of label claims. As consumers and regulators are demanding more transparency of environmental claims with an increasing expectation of ambition, we are transitioning away from the carbon neutral verification and label and towards new claims.New label claims will have a greater emphasis on reduction, more ambitious requirements and more information about the claim. You may still see products in the market with the Carbon Neutral label, as it will take a while for those products already verified as carbon neutral to be purchased and consumed.
Our label portfolio
The Carbon Trust label appears on a product or its packaging.Reduction claims:
Carbon emissions reductions achieved
Carbon emissions reductions planned
For more information please see , clause 2.
Carbon emissions reductions achieved and additional climate projects funded
Carbon emissions reductions planned and additional climate projects funded
Carbon emissions reductions aligned with Net Zero pathway
Packaging
The ‘Packaging Verified CO2e footprint’ label has the same requirements as above, but applied to the boundary of packaging only. For more information please see , clause 2.5.
Please note only packaging manufacturers are eligible for this verification scope.
Comparative claims:
Lower footprint compared to other products in brand’s family
Lower footprint compared to the market average
For more information please see , clause 3.4.
Other claims:
Verified electricity
This claim shows that an energy product is 100% renewable and has a 0g CO2/kWh emission factor for Scope 2 reporting purposes.
In order to achieve verification, a company must:- Demonstrate that the product is 100% backed by Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates.
- Have embedded policies and procedures, which relate to data collection, reporting and tracking, to ensure that the emission factors associated with the verified product are reported in accordance with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance.
*100% of the electricity supplied is renewable, backed by certificates of renewable energy guarantees of origin. The emission factor conforms with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 guidance and may be used for the 'market-based' method.
Verified CO2e footprint claim
Available for B2B products only.
For more information please see , clause 1.7.
Carbon neutral
We advise that all products carrying a footprint label must provide clear additional information through their own communications channels to ensure the highest degree of transparency.
Requirements for assurance:
View our end-to-end service offering for Net Zero transition planning and delivery