Tesco to label own-brand products with carbon footprint

Customers shopping in Tesco will soon be able to pick products not just on taste and nutritional content but also on their impact on the environment.

The supermarket giant announced today that it will label 20 of its own products with a carbon reduction label.

The move comes as companies face increasing pressure to play a role in helping the UK to reduce its carbon emissions and reduce climate change.

Labels will tell customers the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases produced during the life of each product, including use and disposal.

On some of the products the new label will also include hints and tips to help people reduce their carbon emissions at home as advised by the Carbon Trust.

"We want to give our customers the power to make informed green choices for their weekly shop, and enlist their help in working towards a revolution in green consumption," said Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy.

"We encourage all of our suppliers and competitors to support the Carbon Trust in this collaboration."

Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay commented: "There has been a significant groundswell of interest from consumers in the carbon impact of the products they buy.

"And the collective challenge for businesses is to get meaningful information to them at the right time and place so they can begin to make informed low carbon choices."

He added: "We hope today's announcement will further catalyse action from other manufacturers and retailers to drive more and more carbon out of their supply chains and products."