In 2007, a climate-labeling project was initiated in Sweden to:
- Reduce negative climate effects in food production
- Give consumers an opportunity to make a conscious climate choice
- Encourage competition in food businesses
However, the Swedish Climate Label is not another carbon footprint scheme. Instead, the certification states that significant efforts (defined in the label criteria) have been made to reduce the carbon emissions along the food chain (from production to the store). The label does not publish precise figures for carbon emissions.
The project is a joint initiative by the Federation of Swedish Farmers, dairies, a cereal cooperative, and two existing labelling bodies. Initially, the standards cover fruit & vegetables, cereals & pulses, and fish & shellfish, all with a low degree of processing.
The project is currently working on development of further certification criteria, in addition to the criteria already available for plant production, greenhouse production, milk, and fisheries. The criteria will be available in early 2010. Once this process is complete, an accredited certification body will begin with inspections of farmers and companies participating in the scheme to ensure compliance.
Feb 2010