carbon labelling

If Loblaws follows other retailers in green labelling, shoppers could get the chance to literally calculate their exact carbon footprint from a new pair of boots or even a box of chocolates.

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is thinking of adding carbon labels to its private label products to show consumers how much carbon dioxide was emitted in producing the goods.

Following in the footsteps of shoe specialist Timberland Co. and grocer Tesco PLC, the Canadian supermarket retailer's potential initiative could capitalize on consumers' growing concern about climate change and greenhouse gases.

Globe and Mail - carbon footprint - January 18, 2008

If this is done properly, it should help people to relocalise their commerce, since transportation is a big component of the carbon footprint.

Jon Udell has been writing about this, the idea of tracking carbon through the production chain.
Having information on product labels is nice, but this information should also be available for any online transaction as well.

See e.g. The transparent supply chain.

There is also some positive news coming out of conferences (I hope conferences will start banning bottled water as well).

The first place SLA expects to see a significant chance to make an environmental impact is the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in Seattle in June 2008. Seattle is well-known as a pioneer in green initiatives and has been recognized for its citywide environmental efforts. In addition to what the city offers, such as public transport and green hotels, there are a number of ways for attendees to make their own conference experience a greener one. SLA will be working with INFO-EXPO exhibitors and conference sponsors as well as attendees on how they can participate in this initiative by offering options such as providing the opportunity for them to purchase their own carbon offsets, and supplying free wireless Internet access throughout the conference center, allowing attendees to access hand-outs electronically and eliminating the need to print thousands of paper copies.

Special Libraries Association Announces Green Initiative - January 11, 2008

Previously:
December 3, 2006  airlines and everything with built-in carbon offset