The potential role of carbon labeling in a green economy

Mark Cohen and Michael P. Vandenbergh

Energy Economics, 2012, vol. 34, issue S1, S53-S63

Abstract: Over the past several years, labeling schemes that focus on a wide range of environmental and social metrics have proliferated. Although little empirical evidence has been generated yet with respect to carbon footprint labels, much can be learned from our experience with similar product labels. We first review the theory and evidence on the role of product labeling in affecting consumer and firm behavior. Next, we consider the role of governments and nongovernmental organizations, concluding that international, multistakeholder organizations have a critical part to play in setting protocols and standards. We argue that it is important to consider the entire life cycle of a product being labeled and develop an international standard for measurement and reporting. Finally, we examine the potential impact of carbon product labeling, discussing methodological and trade challenges and proposing a framework for choosing products best suited for labeling.

Keywords: Carbon labels; Voluntary disclosure; Consumer behavior; Life-cycle analysis; Rebound effect; Leakage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D82 F18 K32 L15 M31 Q54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (58)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140988312002022
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
Working Paper: The Potential Role of Carbon Labeling in a Green Economy (2012)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:34:y:2012:i:s1:p:s53-s63

DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2012.08.032

Access Statistics for this article

Energy Economics is currently edited by R. S. J. Tol, Beng Ang, Lance Bachmeier, Perry Sadorsky, Ugur Soytas and J. P. Weyant

More articles in Energy Economics from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().