The Environmental Footprinting for Business project which is implemented by the London-based Carbon Trust in collaboration with the Aegean Forest Foundation and Lifelong Learning, Vocational Training and Development Association, ended with a meeting attended by the representatives of the business world, project associates and institutions and organizations from other provinces. The concept of eco label (EU Environmental Label) was emphasized during the meeting in which the project outputs regarding the creation, measurement and documentation of environmental footprint for increasing the competitiveness of the goods and services produced by Turkish manufacturers and exporters in the international arena; and the preparation of relevant product labels were shared.
The pilot firms which are the first implementers of the system that will serve as a road map for companies to reduce carbon emissions, use natural resources effectively and develop sustainable strategies, got involved in the labelling system by having their products’ environmental impacts measured and certified under ISO 14067 standard. From now on, the Aegean Forest Foundation will be responsible for the sustainability of the project and labeling the new products.
Eco-Label Period in Industry
Companies from five pilot sectors selected in İzmir under the scope of the project, gave presentations in the closing meeting. The importance of ecological labels to be produced as a result of the measurement of factors such as carbon emissions, amount of electricity, water, natural resource etc. generated from the beginning of production until the final stage of consumption was emphasized. It was also stated that the industrialists should place emphasis on recycling, recovery and reduction of carbon emissions.
At the closing meeting, the message given was that the eco-label is expected to become mandatory like a license plate in the very near future, although it is not an obligation yet. It was also mentioned that this labeling would become a tender requirement especially in the EU countries. It was stated that the eco-label system would become an advantage in the competitive environment.
The study conducted on eco-labeling within the scope of the Environmental Footprinting for Business project was collected into a booklet and presented to the business world. Examples of good practices and work done in EU member states on the creation and documentation of environmental footprint and preparation of relevant product labels were shared.
For detailed information about the project, please visit http://civilsocietydialogue.org/project/environmental-footprinting-for-business/