The uk's government-funded Carbon Trust has launched a carbon reduction labelling scheme for consumer products. The label on the product will detail the amount of carbon emitted during its production. This will help companies make commitments to reducing the carbon impact of their product. Products with the label will face an audit to assess their carbon footprint, from sourcing the raw materials to delivery to the customer. If a company fails in carbon reduction over a two-year period, the label will be withdrawn. "We believe this label will be a bridge between carbon-conscious companies and their customers,' said Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust.

The scheme comes after a 2006 survey conducted by the trust found that 66 per cent of consumers in the uk wanted to know the carbon footprint of their purchases and 67 per cent of them said that it would influence their buying decisions. The new labelling system aims to "accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by helping organisations reduce their carbon emissions and developing commercial low-carbon technologies'. Several household brand names have already signed up to the scheme