Goods and services to get carbon rating

Its aim is to give an eco-impact figure for everything from bags of crisps to airline flights, according to the Carbon Trust.

The scheme's purpose is to create a single benchmark for measuring all products and services in the UK. It will help companies measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated during the "lifecycle" of their goods.

The Carbon Trust, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and BSI British Standards announced the scheme yesterday.

It will build on a pilot system created by the Carbon Trust for measuring the carbon footprint of goods produced by major brands including Boots, Walkers and Innocent.

The Trust has already developed a logo which will be displayed on those companies' goods.

Greenhouse gas

Climate Change and Environment Minister Ian Pearson said: "More and more, businesses are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment.

"To help them achieve that we need a reliable, consistent way to measure these impacts that businesses recognise, trust and understand."

He added: "This is important work and will be fundamental in our efforts to move Britain towards a low-carbon economy in the decades ahead."

Once it is developed, firms will voluntarily use the new system for working out the carbon footprints of their goods and services.

It will take in carbon emissions generated during stages such as production, transport and product use. The scheme will be the first step towards the creation of an internationally agreed standard.

Universally accepted

Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, commented: "Our work to date on carbon footprinting shows that there is real appetite amongst business to tackle the indirect emissions from their supply chains and to offer clear information to consumers on the carbon impact of their products and services.

"In order for even more businesses to use this approach it is essential that we develop one universally accepted methodology."

Mike Low, director of BSI British Standards, added: "BSI British Standards is delighted to be working with the Carbon Trust and DEFRA to bring clarity and consensus to this important area of work.

"BSI believes that this is an important first step towards a framework that will enable businesses and consumers to reduce their carbon impact."