29 April 2008, 14:43 PM
  • Britain's biggest supermarket chain, Tesco, has launched a labelling scheme which will allow consumers to compare the carbon footprints of grocery items.

Initially only 20 items across the chain’s range of home-brand products will carry the information, but Tesco is planning to increase this number if the trial is successful. The system has been endorsed by the Carbon Trust.

Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive at Tesco, says, “We’re delighted to be taking this major step with 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. “

Tom Delay, chief executive at the Carbon Trust, adds, “There has been a significant groundswell of interest from consumers in the carbon impact of the products they buy. 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.”