16.12.2022
Question for written answer E-004091/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Ciarán Cuffe (Verts/ALE)
The Emissions Trading System provides a mechanism for internalising the cost of carbon associated with the manufacture and distribution of products sold in the EU. However, when these products are purchased, the carbon cost is combined with the cost of manufacture to give the consumer a single price. Therefore, there is still no way for environmentally conscious consumers (‘prosumers’) to find out the carbon impact of their purchases. A carbon footprint labelling system could address this problem.
As far back as 2010, the Commission published guidelines[1] about how the calculations for carbon footprint labelling should be made. Private organisations such as the Carbon Trust[2] have also undertaken this task themselves.
What plans are in place to propose carbon footprint labelling requirements for products sold in the EU?
Submitted: 16.12.2022
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/pdf/Product_Carbon_Footprint_study.pdf[2] https://www.carbontrust.com/who-we-areLast updated: 21 December 2022