Requirements on Consumer Information about Product ... - ANEC

Consumer Information about PCF
to be noted that neither precombustion nor non-CO2 greenhouse gases are included.
Most important for communication: there is no benchmarking scheme available that
would allow consumers to judge the performance of a car by means of a simple colour
or letter code.
• for electricity (Directive 2003/54/EC): electricity suppliers have to deliver their
customers’ information on the specific CO2 emissions and the amount of nuclear waste
connected with the generation of the electricity purchased. Besides, they have to give
information on the fuel mix. In order to be able to rank the information, consumers also
have to be provided with information on the average country mix and the residual mix
of the provider. Altogether the information mix offered seems to be very instructive,
concentrating on the relevant aspects concerning an environmentally friendly electricity
product. Consumers are enabled to identify an electricity product with low greenhouse
gas emissions, that generates no nuclear waste and that bases on a high degree of
renewable energy sources and/or cogeneration of heat and power. However, many
consumers are still unaware of this chance.
5.2.4 Other forms of information
Besides labels there are also other forms of information that may include PCF results.
One case to be highlighted at this point is the use of PCF data as a base for general
recommendations for a specific product group. This case will be discussed using the
example of the Swedish proposal for “environmentally effective food choices” (NFA 2009).
Aim of these general recommendations of the National Food Administration is to support
consumers to take purchasing decisions on food with reduced environmental and also
climate impacts. Therefore, these guidelines are not a carbon label but the integration of
accomplished knowledge on the climate impact of food into general principles for a
recommendable food choice. The Swedish National Food Administration worked out guidelines
that integrated – among other relevant environmental impact categories like a rich
diversity of plant and animal life, toxic environment – also recommendations for a food choice
with reduced climate impact. The general recommendations encompass the following food
groups:
• Meat – beef, lamb, pork and chicken;
• Fish and shellfish;
• Fruits and berries, vegetables and leguminous plants;
• Potatoes, cereals and rice;
• Cooking fat;
• Water.
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