Carbon Footprint Labels Will Soon Appear on Japanese Goods

Dozens of products in Japan will begin carrying government-approved labels showing breakdowns of their “carbon footprints.” The labels, part of a trade ministry effort to get companies and consumers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, are expected to start appearing on products, including food and drink, in April 2009. The labels will give the weight of carbon dioxide produced by the product’s manufacture, transport, and disposal, with percentages indicating each stage’s contribution. A bag of potato chips, for example, is calculated to emit 75 grams of CO₂: 44 percent from growing potatoes, 30 percent from processing them, 15 percent from packaging, 9 percent from delivery, and 2 percent from disposal. The trade ministry undertook its own calculation of carbon dioxide emissions because companies’ in-house calculations could easily be adjusted to give the lowest possible value. “Unless all of the companies use the same method,” said Japan’s trade minister, “there’s little point to the exercise.” Japan’s labels will include more information than those already in use elsewhere.