GEN has launched a white paper during World Ecolabel Day examining the important role of ecolabels in mitigating climate change.
The paper brings recent data and expert opinion to highlight the importance of continuing to fight climate change, such as with certified ecolabels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights that unsustainable product contribute to human-induced climate change, with products associated with material production accounting for about 23 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Ecolabels alone can not solve the climate problem, and comprehensive solutions are needed. Nevertheless, since the share of consumer products in the economy is very large, and consumer influence is growing, ecolabels can be an effective companion tool. It is also important to note that ecolabels are a tool whereby everyone can contribute to the fight against climate change simply by shopping in-store and making the right choices”
Dr Yulia Gracheva, Director of Vitality Leaf, GEN Board Member
Ecolabels have a critical role to play in mitigating climate change, but they cannot do it alone. Ecolabel organisations need to work with stakeholders and partners in the public and private spheres to drive responsible consumption.
The paper concludes by arguing that ecolabelling programmes properly managed, procured and consumed, can have a valuable role in limiting climate change and its worst impacts, if organisations, governments, and the public recognise this, and work together to ensure this happens.
Peak ecolabel bodies such as GEN provide important stewardship for ecolabels globally amongst its members in the fight against climate change.
The main function for ecolabels is to offer the marketplace a credible environmental information about products, including services, and both in the B2C- and the B2B-markets. The lifecycle approach we base our requirements on must always include climate-related issues where relevant”
Bjorn-Eirk Lonn, Chair of GEN Board
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