Carbon Calories

Tesco the largest grocery retailer in the UK has enlisted the help of Oxford University in devising a carbon labeling system.  In theory the system would allow the consumer the ability to gain a better understanding of a products carbon footprint.

The massive project will entail figuring out the carbon footprint of over 70,000 products and will be funded by Tesco, for the tune of £5m.  This latest endeavor by Tesco has left us a little bit skeptical and we will readily admit this is not the first time we have questioned the large retailers business practices.

In part do to the fact that it still remains unclear if consumers are that interested in their carbon calories, or if consumers will be willing to forgo their favorite treat for a carbon reduced alternative.

Although the retailer is making significant strides compared to their competitors in the UK and abroad there has been little attention paid to the bigger issues beyond the buzz of carbon footprints happening in and around the growing green community.

At the end of the day it may be a wake up call for a few, but for the most part I would question how effective the program will be in bringing awareness to the issue of over consumption.

The more significant story would be the elimination of some of the 70,000 products and a locally sourced replacement.  As we’ve stated in the past the growing demand for localized product shows no signs of slowing down.  As is the growing awareness that we have become a society who forgot to question if we really needed imported Fuji water.

These issues and our need for alternatives beyond plastic bags at the checkout counter and less packaging on the shelves will continue to drive this conversation.  Whereas a carbon labeled package may just end up in the recycling bin.

It Week: Digging for Tesco’s green label credentials

-Contributed by Amy Daroukakis