The global rise in greenhouse gas emissions results from a wide source of factors, most of which are human-induced, including industry and agriculture, to name only a few. Consumers can take action to prevent global warming by purchasing carbon label products, thus encouraging manufacturers to obtain a carbon label. A decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the consumer sector can link producers and service providers by choosing the product or services which have produced fewer emissions. With this, the consumer will need to know more details about the product in order to choose which product to buy. This helps as public participation in promoting and motivating consumers to create a low carbon society to prevent global warming.
Carbon Reduction Label
Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization: TGO) is working in cooperation with Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) to establish the “Carbon Reduction Label” scheme. These products are certified as having lowered their carbon emissions during the production process. With the Carbon Reduction Label, TGO foresees the opportunity to motivate producers to emit less greenhouse gas emissions by using more efficient processes which will be the consumers’ choice.
The Carbon Reduction Label tells the consumer that the producer has fulfilled one of the following criteria regarding its greenhouse gas emissions:
1. The greenhouse gas emissions are decreased by 10 percent according to the 2002 baseline compared with the most recent year (requires at least 12 months of information), according to two factors: electricity and energy consumption in the manufacturing process and waste management;
Or
2. Has a system of full consumption from biomass or waste sources used within the factory. The electricity procurement cannot exceed 5 per cent of total energy consumption in the manufacturing process. The use of fossil fuels is prohibited except for during the start up process or moving objects around the factory, and the emission of greenhouse gases from waste or wastewater;
Or
3. Adoption of high energy efficient technology for each industrial sector. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Carbon Reduction Label Working Group.
Current status
The Carbon Reduction Label draws attention from members of the industrial sector. As of 27 March 2009, 34 producers applied for the registration of their products. Currently 25 products from 9 product categories are registered. They include: dried food, cement, artificial wood, rice bags, condoms, floor tiles, ceramic tiles, cooking oil, milk cartons.
Website: Thai Carbon Label Project