Goods produced in Taiwan could carry labels detailing their carbon footprints as early as March next year under a plan unveiled by the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration Dec. 15.

“The program’s goal is to help consumers identify the environmental impact of a product through assessing its carbon footprint,” said EPA Minister Shen Shu-hung.

According to Shen, Taiwan will be the 11th economy in the world to implement this initiative, following the EU, Japan, Thailand and the U.S.

“From raw material acquisition, manufacture, packaging and transportation, down to consumption, discarding or recycling, the process of producing goods generates greenhouse emissions,” said Yang Ching-shi, director-general of the EPA’s Department of Supervision, Evaluation and Dispute Resolution.

Yang said that in a plastic bottle of tea’s lifecycle, carbon footprints registered in the first phrase of raw material acquisition were the heaviest, accounting for 79 percent of the total volume of emissions.

The green initiative will cover a full range of products, Yang said, adding that some major food manufacturers were now ready to apply for carbon footprint labels. “The EPA is designing an official carbon footprint calculation system and related Web site to assist in this process.”

“In addition to the labels, some products will also carry instructions on helping reduce emissions,” Yang said. “For example, consumers will be able to learn about the emissions benefits of doing laundry with low-temperature water.”

Yang added that the EPA also plans to establish a review committee comprising members of the public and private sectors. “This body will handle the screening and labeling of product carbon footprints and applications.” (PCT-JSM)

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