The labels, to appear on dozens of items including food and drink, detergents and electrical appliances from next spring, will go further than similar labels already in use elsewhere. They will provide detailed breakdowns of each product's carbon footprint under a government-approved calculation and labeling system now being discussed by the trade ministry and around 30 firms. The labels will show how much carbon dioxide is emitted during the manufacture, distribution and disposal of each product, the ministry said. The Japanese campaign is loosely modeled on a British pilot scheme involving Tesco and several other firms, though that scheme has yet to gain official approval.

The Globe and Mail notes that "The ministry's research shows one example of carbon footprint using potato chips. A bag of chips creates 75 grams of carbon dioxide. Forty-four percent of the C02 comes from growing potatoes and another 30 percent from production of the processed food. Another 15 percent comes from the packaging, 9 percent from delivery and 2 percent from disposal of the bag. " Jiji Press writes that "Carbon footprint labeling is seen as a potentially powerful tool for raising public awareness on global warming and promoting energy-saving efforts by firms and individuals. The ministry plans to start trials in fiscal 2009 that begins next April. Subject to the labeling will be the total amount of emissions of six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane gas. The ministry plans to have independent third parties verify the labeling to ensure its credibility.

Meanwhile, in related news, Bloomberg reports that ?Investment in carbon funds climbed 63 percent in the past year to $12.9 billion as investors spent on projects that curb greenhouse gases blamed for climate change, according to Environmental Finance. There are now 80 funds, compared with 56 managing $7.9 billion a year ago, the London-based publisher said [Thursday in an e-mailed statement.]