What is a product’s carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint of a product is the total carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted during its lifecycle. That includes production, distribution, use and disposal.
What is a carbon footprint label and what does it mean?
The Carbon Trust’s footprint label appears on a product or its packaging. It shows a brand is working to measure and reduce the carbon emissions of that product – and demonstrates its commitment for the future.
Our leading environmental label features a footprint with the words ‘Carbon Trust Certified’. That means the carbon footprint of the product or its packaging has been measured to internationally recognised standards and verified by the Carbon Trust.
What other information can I learn?
Often, you’ll see a panel sharing more information about the footprint. On smaller products with limited space, there might just be a website address or QR code you can scan with your smartphone camera to read more.
You’ll find out if the product’s carbon footprint is:
- Reducing year-on-year
- Carbon neutral
- Lower than other best-known products
How does my purchase make an impact?
We can’t solve the climate crisis alone. But if we all start taking steps in our everyday shopping habits to reduce our carbon footprint, it all adds up.
The more we understand about a product’s environmental footprint, the better choices we can make. By choosing more sustainable products, you’re sending a message to brands that you care about the planet and the impact of what you buy. They might label more of their products. Meanwhile, other brands take note of what their competitors are doing, and may follow suit.
It's just one way we can reduce our environmental impact – one foot at a time.
What products can I buy?
We’ve certified over 27,000 individual product footprints, and many display our label in more than 40 countries.
Look for it on Tetra Pak packaging, Wyke Farms’ cheese, evian water and Quorn products, for example.
View a full list of certified organisations
A label you can trust
Product carbon footprint labels are a key part of our mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonised future.
We launched the world’s first carbon footprint label in 2007.
We’ve been pioneers for more than 20 years. We’re independent, and we’re experts at what we do. That means you can trust our label when you see it.
Take action now on the climate crisis and choose products with the Carbon Trust’s footprint label. Look for the label.
