Taiwan is the latest nation to float a plan to label the carbon footprint of common consumer packaged goods, following in the footsteps of the UK and Sweden.
The new labeling program, from Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration, will at first apply to PET-bottled beverages, candles, CDs and cookies, reports Taiwan News.
The program may help speed the acceptance of carbon labels worldwide, as many Taiwanese products are also exported.
Indeed, having a labeling system at home should put Taiwan at the forefront of gaining trade opportunities, said EPA Deputy Minister Chiu Wen-yen.
For instance, supermarket food in the UK will be labeled to show its carbon footprint, country of origin and animal welfare standards as part of the government’s new food strategy for the next 20 years.
Other countries including Sweden also call for labels listing the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of foods, which is expected to cut the nation’s emissions from food production by 20 to 50 percent.
In Japan, about 30 companies said they would voluntarily start carrying carbon footprint labels on food packaging and other products beginning in April 2009. This was followed by Australia’s announcement to join the UK in using the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Reduction Label.