Article date:9 June 2011
Written by:Hayley Humberstone
A new pilot project that will see the carbon footprint label introduced on products in France begins next month (July 2011).
Carbon reduction company Sustain is warning that UK suppliers to organisations taking part in the project need to prepare now as they too could be asked to declare their carbon emissions.
All products in every sector will be affected including items such as cosmetics, clothes, food, electronic equipment, furniture and finance services.
There are 168 global companies taking part in the pilot, which runs for 12 months. It will then be reviewed by the French Government and, if successful, all products could bear the carbon footprint as a compulsory measure from as early as 2012.
Participating companies include Heineken, H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Levi Strauss, L'Oréal, Orange, Procter & Gamble and Unilever - some of which have UK suppliers.
Jean-Yves Cherruault, environmental accounting manager at Sustain, said: "This French pilot shows that some of the world's biggest multi-national organisations are taking carbon labelling seriously and the effect of this will reach beyond France.
"Participating companies will need to calculate carbon dioxide emissions not just from their own direct operations, but also from across their supply chains.
"UK companies that supply to these organisations may find that they have to disclose their emissions, or even carry out their own carbon footprinting, so we are advising them to prepare now.
"This is also a good opportunity for companies to stay ahead of the curve. Carbon emissions disclosure is moving up the agenda for Government and businesses, and the French pilot is just one example of this.
"Companies that demonstrate strong environmental credentials and position themselves as leaders in their field will be well positioned to gain a competitive advantage."
Sustain's warning comes only a few weeks after Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) challenged its suppliers to measure their carbon footprints and develop carbon reduction plans at the company's second annual 'Supplier Sustainability Summit'.
Last month, PUMA published an economic valuation of the environmental impacts caused by greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption along its supply chain.
Jean-Yves added: "There is a shift taking place, led by some of the world's biggest brands, which is resulting in companies scrutinising their supply chains.
"This is reflected in our own work at Sustain. We are seeing a growing number of organisations seeking our advice on carbon emissions disclosure and carbon footprinting as a result of this trend."
It is hoped that the French carbon footprint will help inform consumers and inspire behaviour change as well as provide the production and distribution chain with new indicators to encourage better eco-designed products.
For more information on the French pilot see our French environmental labelling briefing document.
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