pixelthing's Flickr photostream/Creative Commons

Sweden is experimenting with new food labels that will indicate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production and distribution of foods sold in grocery stores and restaurants.  The plan seems like an excellent way to educate consumers about how what they eat affects the environment and that by choosing certain foods with lower carbon footprints they can minimize their contribution to climate change.

Roughly 25% of the carbon emissions produced by people in industrialized countries comes from the food we eat. By shifting to a less carbon intense diet can be as effective as driving a more fuel efficient vehicle (maybe even more so).

By now most of us realize that meat production contributes to a large portion of agricultural emissions, and that by reducing or eliminating meat from your diet (even for a day) can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. We also know that food shipped from far away also generates a huge amount of carbon dioxide. Interestingly though, the Swedish labeling program also considers the techniques involved in producing even some local foods, examining soil type and whether or not an energy-intensive greenhouse was used.

Obviously the meat industry and certain foreign food producers are up in arms about Sweden’s new labels, but there are also many farmers, even those who operate locally and organically, who are concerned because new organic certification rules require them to use low-emission techniques, changes that could upset their businesses.  Ultimately though, I think consumers will respond positively to companies willing to reduce their environmental impacts, as the Swedish experiment has already begun to show. Carbon emission labels will be a win for everyone, especially the planet.  I’d love to see a similar program implemented in the United States, and while it may take a while before we see one, I think efforts like New York’s foodshed program will lead the way for more climate-friendly food choices.

As a side note, I’m curious how the new labeling program will affect the sale of Swedish meatballs at Ikea…