What is a carbon label?
A carbon label displays the greenhouse gas emissions linked to a product, often expressed in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO₂e). It shows the climate impact across the product’s lifecycle, from materials and manufacturing to transport and disposal.
For consumers, this makes invisible climate data easier to understand. Like a nutrition label, it supports informed choices. For businesses, it provides a way to make their climate efforts visible and verifiable, and helps to stand out in a crowded market.
Carbon labels are being adopted across industries as more companies look for ways to back up their sustainability claims. According to Deloitte’s 2023 sustainable consumer report, 67% of consumers want brands to clearly explain their environmental credentials, and 34% already consider environmental impact when choosing products.
How is a carbon label calculated?
To display a carbon label, a company must first calculate the product’s carbon footprint (PCF). This involves collecting data across the product’s entire value chain and applying a recognised methodology such as ISO 14067. Depending on the scope, the footprint can include everything from raw material extraction and energy use in manufacturing to packaging, logistics and disposal.
The final footprint is typically expressed as a total kg CO₂e per unit. For example, per item, per kilogram of product, or per service delivered.
To display a carbon label, companies need to calculate the product’s carbon footprint, which involves mapping emissions from raw materials, energy use, packaging, transport, and, in some cases, how the product is used and disposed of. The assessment is usually carried out in line with globally recognised standards such as ISO 14067 or PAS 2050.
Depending on the type of product and audience, the footprint may be calculated as:
- Cradle-to-gate (up to the point it leaves the factory)
- Cradle-to-grave (including use and end-of-life)
The result is a total carbon figure per functional unit, for example, per bottle, per pair of shoes, or per 100g of food.
This number can then be communicated in many ways, for example, directly on packaging, online, or via a QR code linked to further details. Here’s more info about PCF and LCA’s.
The regulatory shift behind product-level emissions
Governments and regulators are beginning to focus more on product-level climate disclosures. For example, in the EU, new frameworks such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Digital Product Passport are set to require detailed emissions information from importers and manufacturers. These initiatives mark a shift from generic ESG claims to traceable, verifiable impact, and carbon labels are one of the clearest ways to communicate that data.
Globally, companies are under pressure to back up sustainability claims with reliable data. Brands that act now will be better prepared to meet compliance expectations and respond to evolving buyer requirements.
The benefits of carbon labels for your business
Stand out in the market
Carbon labelling can help position your business as a climate leader. Early adopters can show they’re willing to go beyond vague claims and offer real transparency. In a crowded market, that can be a key differentiator as buyers and partners look for clear climate action.
Build brand trust with credible data
Consumers are becoming more sceptical of sustainability marketing. A verified product carbon footprint offers a transparent, science-based view of your impact. It helps avoid greenwashing and shows customers, investors and regulators that your business backs up its commitments with evidence. For example, the new DMCC Act in the UK focused on sustainability claims for consumer goods, and product-level data is one of the strongest tools for making claims credible.
Prepare for export and compliance requirements
With regulations like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Digital Product Passport taking shape, product-level emissions data will soon be essential for many sectors. Carbon labelling helps you align with these frameworks and future-proof your access to international markets.
Decarbonise with better insights
Measuring product emissions gives you visibility into carbon hotspots across packaging, sourcing, transport and more. These insights lead to smarter product design, cost-saving changes and clearer reduction strategies.
Future-proof your supply chain
Procurement teams and investors increasingly expect product-level carbon data. Labelling can help strengthen your ESG credentials and support your performance in supplier assessments, B Corp scoring, and frameworks like the CDP and SBTi.
How Zevero can help
Zevero helps businesses simplify the process of measuring and communicating product carbon footprints. Whether you’re exploring carbon labelling for the first time or looking to build on existing sustainability data, we support your team with the tools, expertise and structure needed to get it right.
We work with manufacturers, food and drink brands and consumer goods companies to carry out product carbon footprints and lifecycle assessments aligned with global standards, identify emissions hotspots and prepare data for customer-facing communication. The platform also ensures your emissions data aligns with global regulatory frameworks, making it easier to report with confidence.
One company we’ve supported is DEYA Brewing, an independent UK-based brewery that wanted to better understand the carbon footprint of its most popular beers. Working together, we mapped emissions across ingredients, packaging and logistics to produce verified product carbon footprints.
The data didn’t just sit in a report. DEYA used it to switch to renewable energy, optimise packaging, and start meaningful conversations with customers. Their cans now feature clear, front-of-pack carbon labels, which are helping their customers to make more informed choices and have helped position DEYA as a climate-conscious brand with the data to back it up.
Whether you’re just starting or refining existing data, Zevero helps you go from measurement to meaningful, transparent communication. If you’re aiming to bring your climate commitments to life, carbon labelling is a practical place to begin.
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