In response to consumer concerns about climate change, retailers are developing carbon labels that convey information on the carbon footprint of products. These can present non-tariff barriers to developing country exporters.
Over a third of a typical developed country household’s carbon footprint is due to food consumption. The level of carbon “embodied” in food is under scrutiny from environmentalists, farm groups, consumers and retailers. Carbon labelling is an important market differentiation tool for retailers, and many suppliers are now required to measure emissions in production, processing and transport. Certain groups have identified the distance that a product travels from farm to the retailers ("food miles") as an important factor in determining embodied carbon levels.
Measuring the carbon embodied in a product is complex and costly. Methodologies can also favour developed country producers. There is concern that both "food miles" and carbon labelling are ineffective as tools for climate change mitigation and present possible new non-tariff barriers to exporters in developing countries.
ITC works with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and trade support institutions (TSIs) in overcoming these obstacles and improving access to international markets. The objective of ITC's programme on carbon is to assist SMEs and TSIs in developing countries to understand new requirements on carbon product standards and to work with them to mitigate carbon emissions in line with market requirements.
Most recently, in December 2011, ITC in collaboration with COLEACP-PIP and FPEAK held a workshop on carbon and water management in horticultural exports from East Africa. More information on the workshop, including the programme and presentations can be found below in the training section.