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Consumer Information about PCF
(4) Certified Carbonfree – a CO2e-neutral label
(www.carbonfund.org)
Description:
The label “certified Carbonfree” belongs to the category of labels that
display that the PCF generated by the product is compensated, the
product therefore is CO2-neutral. Carbonfund, a charitable non-profit organisation is
responsible for the Cabonfree label.
The process to certify a product encompasses three steps: first the carbon footprint of the
product is calculated. Then the determined amount of greenhouse gas emissions is offset
with a project type chosen by the producer (reforestation, energy efficiency, renewable
energy). The projects are certified by third party standards. In the last step the partnership is
communicated (CarbonFree logo, blogs and newsletter articles, website). Concerning the
methodology for the calculation of the carbon footprint Carbonfund refers to the WBCSD/WRI
Protocol. There exist a number of different certified products, e.g. mobile phone, T-Shirt,
sugar, coffee.
Critical acclaim:
The discussion on offsetting in general is still ongoing and shall not be represented here.
PAS 2050 e.g. does not allow offsetting at all when calculating a PCF. Anyway focus must be
on the reduction of CO2e emissions over the life cycle of a product and the identification of
products that have comparably low CO2e emissions. The compensation of its CO 2 emissions
alone does not decrease the carbon footprint of a product. Concerning carbon offset projects
used for compensation the main critics are related to the following points: Are the carbon
offset projects real and additional, not covered by regulation e.g.? Does offsetting set the
right course in developed and developing countries (e.g. concerning infrastructure)? Or does
it actually hinder sustainable development for the future in both?
Against this background carbon neutral labels are not recommended as reasonable
consumer information and decision support concerning climate relevant emissions.
5.2.2 ISO labels in the context of PCF (type I, II and III)
Differing from the labels described in the previous chapter the following three label types are
defined by ISO standards. Subsequently, it is discussed whether the PCF found its way in
those labels.
Type I Environmental Labels (ISO 14024)
• Include environmental labels like the Blue Angel, Nordic Swan, EU environmental label.
• The certified products are amongst the least environmentally harmful products in their
category, since they meet strict environmental requirements.
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