Tesco becomes first supermarket to use 'green score' to measure carbon footprint of products

Tesco today becomes the first supermarket to print "green scores" on selected goods to show the environmental cost of producing them.

The carbon-footprint labels reveal how much carbon dioxide is used to make, use and dispose of a product and will initially appear on 20 items.

The supermarket says the information will make it easier for shoppers to choose greener products.

The labels indicate that orange juice made from concentrate has a lower carbon footprint than non-concentrate juice - and that green shoppers should choose liquid detergent for their washing machines rather than powder.

Tesco joins the growing number of companies using carbon-footprint labels. Walkers, Boots and Innocent smoothies have already added them.

The move, backed by the Government, was welcomed by some green groups despite concerns that shoppers may be confused by the information.

The Carbon Trust, which helped Tesco to draw up the labels, said more will be appearing on a host of goods and services over the next few years.

Morphy Richards and Halifax are expected to be the next companies to promote greener shopping.

Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco, said: "We want to give our customers the power to make informed green choices for their weekly shop."

The first labels appear on orange juice, potatoes, washing detergents and lightbulbs.

They show how many grams of carbon dioxide are produced for a single serving of the product.

However, critics say the labels are too complex. The National Consumer Council said that a gram of carbon was not a meaningful measure.

Peter Melchett, of the Soil Association, said the labels exaggerated the carbon footprint of organic food but added: "We congratulate Tesco for making an important start in helping people to reduce the impact of their food on the climate."