Our label confirms that carbon emissions have been measured and reduced where possible and that unabated CO2 emissions have been offset via recognised, certified carbon offset projects.
A label for transparency in carbon neutral products, services, and companies
Our label confirms that carbon emissions have been measured and reduced where possible and that unabated CO2 emissions have been offset via recognised, certified carbon offset projects.
Our ‘Carbon neutral’ label represents transparency and traceability for climate action. The offsetting process certified by the label is verified every year by TÜV Austria, an internationally recognised specialist in environmental auditing. The label is currently granted in 30 languages in 60 countries.
The ‘Carbon neutral’ label and its components
- The logo – The logo represents the earth, which is surrounded by the ClimatePartner abbreviation, CP, in the atmosphere.
- ‘Carbon neutral’ – Our label confirms that emissions from the labelled product have been calculated and offset via recognised carbon offset projects. Our customers and partners must use the label correctly in its proper context and have booked the corresponding offsets correctly.
- The category – Our label indicates exactly what is carbon neutral, be it a company, product or service.
- ID number and tracking URL – Every offset has a unique ID tracking number, which allows anyone to easily view the amount of CO2 offset and details about the carbon offset project.
- Optional: QR code – It links to the tracking URL that contains information about the amount of offset CO2 and the carbon offset project.
Criteria for receiving our label
The precise calculation of emissions is the first requirement for carbon neutral products, companies and services. ClimatePartner has clearly defined the areas that must be included and the emissions that must be calculated. The emissions of the product, service, or company must then be offset in order to receive the ClimatePartner “Carbon neutral” label. This definition is based on the British carbon neutrality standard PAS 2060 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for emissions accounting. These processes are outlined in the ClimatePartner Protocol, which is our quality guideline for carbon neutral companies, products and services.
The criteria for receiving the ClimatePartner label differ, depending on whether the label is for a carbon neutral company, a carbon neutral product, or a carbon neutral service like an event.
Carbon neutral company
- Emissions are recorded and accounted for based on the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.
- The minimum requirements are:
- All scope 1 emissions are accounted for and offset
- All scope 2 emissions are accounted for and offset
- The following scope 3 emissions are accounted for and offset
- Employee commuting
- Business travel
- Upstream electricity
- Upstream heating/cooling
- Upstream fleet
- Unabated CO2 emissions are offset via recognised carbon offset projects that are certified according to the highest standards such as Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard.
- The process confirmed by the label is certified by TÜV Austria.
Carbon neutral product
- Emissions are accounted for based on the GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Standard.
- The minimum requirements are:
- All cradle-to-customer emissions are accounted for and offset.
- All end-of-life emissions are accounted for and offset.
- Unabated CO2 emissions are offset via recognised carbon offset projects which are certified according to the highest standards.
Transparency in communicating emissions
The “Carbon neutral” label needs to be communicated in the appropriate context. Additional descriptions are not part of the label.
The unique ID number on the label creates transparency about the CO2 emissions along with the product life cycle and thus the basis for reductions. Companies that advertise carbon neutrality take it upon themselves to continuously and effectively protect the climate.
In order to guarantee a holistic climate protection strategy, the offsetting of remaining unabated CO2 emissions via certified, international climate protection projects should be used primarily as a supplementary measure to the reduction efforts. Therefore, the possibilities of ID tracking with the presentation of reduction and further climate action measures should also be taken advantage of.
Benefits at a glance
The ClimatePartner ‘Carbon neutral’ label delivers complete transparency and traceability: Its unique ID tracking feature provides information about the carbon footprint of the company, product, or service, the carbon offset projects supported, and the reduction measures that were taken. This enables consumers to track a company’s climate action and find out more about each selected international carbon offset project. This provides a clear and credible answer to the question: How was carbon neutrality achieved for the product or company?
The high recognition and credibility of the label provides consumers with a clear orientation. The label ‘Carbon neutral’ from ClimatePartner establishes itself as the leading label in increasingly more sectors and countries. Carbon neutral by ClimatePartner is listed by independent portals such as Siegelklarheit.de (BMZ), Bewusstkaufen.at and Labelinfo.ch.
N.B. The information contained in this entry is provided by the above supplier, and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher
