Label Products With Carbon Footprint: Experts Urge

A recent conference, a collaboration between the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO), highlighted the urgent need for products to display their carbon footprint on packaging. Experts proposed that this information should be as readily available as ingredient lists and expiry dates.

Sachchidanand Joshi of IGNCA stated that such labeling would foster greater public awareness, enabling consumers to make more environmentally conscious choices. He emphasized that this would encourage sensitivity towards the carbon emissions linked to everyday products. The compiled recommendations from the conference are slated to be sent to the Prime Minister.

Anil P Joshi, an environmentalist, pointed to consumption habits as a major driver of carbon emissions. He stressed that displaying the environmental consequences of consumerism would empower informed decision-making. Globally, 40 billion tonnes of carbon are emitted annually, with fluorinated carbon emissions reaching approximately 11 to 12 million tonnes. Reversing these changes is estimated to be only 10% to 12% possible.

Justice Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal suggested exploring legal avenues, including consumer forums and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to incorporate carbon footprint disclosure into consumer rights. Dr. P Kaushal from IIT underscored the importance of industry engagement to promote sustainable production practices.