We are all familiar with product labels, such as fair trade, vegan and energy star. These labels help us to make educated purchase decisions. You may have noticed products with carbon labels but might be wondering what those labels mean as they can sound pretty similar.
Let’s take a look at some of the labels.
- Carbon Neutral: This means that a company removes an equal amount of carbon that it emits.
- Climate Neutral: This is a higher standard than carbon neutral. Climate neutral is achieved when a company reduces its greenhouse gas emissions to zero while also eliminating all other negative environmental impacts it is responsible for.
- Net-Zero Emissions: All greenhouse gas emissions (not just carbon) are balanced against the greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere.
These labels are informative but remember there isn’t a widely adopted standardized carbon labeling approach so remember to take a look at how a company is choosing to offset its emissions.
Source: The Carbon Almanac
Footnote – Carbon Labeling
- —. Understanding Carbon Offsets: What Is a Carbon Offset?. https://www.offsetguide.org/understanding-carbon-offsets/what-is-a-carbon-offset/. Accessed 23 Dec. 2021.
- —. “Companies Bet Carbon Labels Can Help the Climate. Will Consumers Catch On?”. Washington Post, 17 June 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2021/06/17/carbon-footprint-emissions-label/.
- Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly: Certifications. https://www.amazon.com/b?node=21221608011. Accessed 22 Dec. 2021.
- Anzilotti, Eillie. “Climate Positive, Carbon Neutral, Carbon Negative: What Do They Mean?”. Fast Company, 18 June 2018, https://www.fastcompany.com/40583176/climate-positive-carbon-neutral-carbon-negative-what-do-they-mean.
- Bernoville, Tara. “What Is the Difference between Carbon-Neutral, Net-Zero and Climate Positive?”. Plan A Academy, 6 Aug. 2021, https://plana.earth/academy/what-is-difference-between-carbon-neutral-net-zero-climate-positive/.
- Dans, Enrique. “Carbon Labeling: How Seriously Would You Take It?”. Forbes, 21 June 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2021/06/21/carbon-labeling-how-seriously-would-you-takeit/.
- Hurst, Josh. “Choosing the Best Carbon Offset Programs of 2021”. EcoWatch, 26 May 2021, https://www.ecowatch.com/best-carbon-offset-programs-2650926204.html.
- Lazarovic, Sarah. “More Products Are Adding Carbon Labels. But What Do They Mean?”. Chatelaine, 3 Mar. 2021, https://www.chatelaine.com/living/what-are-carbon-labels/.
- Michail, Niamh. “Study Confirms Carbon Label Efficacy: ‘They Had the Predicted Effect… Lower-Emission Food Choices’”. Foodnavigator.Com, 18 Dec. 2018, https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2018/12/18/Carbon-labels-drive-more-sustainable-food-choices-scientists-confirm.
