From high-end restaurants to large-scale caterers, food businesses are under pressure to not just serve great meals, but to serve them responsibly. That’s where the carbon emission label comes in.
This tiny piece of information on a menu label carries big weight. It tells your guests how much carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) was emitted throughout the production of that item—from farm to fork. And in a world that’s rapidly waking up to climate impact, that kind of transparency can be a game-changer for your brand.
So let’s break it down: what exactly is a carbon emission label, why does the food industry need it now, and how can it help future-proof your business?
What is a Carbon Emission Label?
A menu carbon emission label shows the climate impact of a dish in clear, quantifiable terms—typically measured in kilograms of CO2e per serving, kg or a selected reference value. It’s based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) that factors in everything from land use change and transportation to packaging and refrigeration.
In short, it’s a full-scope mirror of a dish’s environmental cost.
Want to go deeper? Our method measures how much a meal affects the climate by looking at the greenhouse gases released to make it. Then, we give each dish a letter rating from A (very low impact) to E (very high impact). If a meal gets an A, it means eating this kind of food fits with the climate goals set by world leaders for 2030 and 2050 during the Paris Agreement. But if a meal is rated E, it means that if everyone ate that dish regularly, the world would likely get much hotter than what scientists consider safe.
Why Carbon Labels Matter in the Food Industry
You’ve probably seen nutritional labels influence consumer behavior. Now imagine a similar impact, but for the planet. That’s the power of carbon labels.
According to a study from the University of Würzburg, when diners saw carbon labels on menus, they were more likely to choose climate-friendlier options. Results showed that labeling can reduce meal-related emissions by up to 13.5%.
But it’s not just about consumer nudges. Carbon labels serve a dual purpose: they guide better decisions for both your customers and your kitchen.
They help food businesses:
• Identify and reduce high-impact ingredients
• Increase operational transparency
• Win more tenders with climate-smart offerings
• Meet regulatory and voluntary emission reduction targets
Labels That Lead to Action
Of course, it’s not just about putting a number next to a dish. It’s about what that number enables. With the right tools in place—like a food sustainability platform paired with an emissions calculator—that carbon data becomes a competitive advantage. In fact, climate data can be leveraged not only for ESG reporting but to drive profit, boost reputation, and secure long-term growth.
We’ve also seen food businesses increase both sales and customer loyalty by using carbon labels to reshape their menus. Our clients that go through a green menu makeover often report higher conversions, especially when low-impact dishes are clearly marked and marketed.
Regulation Is Coming. Are You Ready?
Using a carbon label might feel daunting—no one wants to risk being accused of greenwashing. That’s especially true now, as both the UK and the EU have introduced, or are developing, regulations aimed at unsubstantiated environmental claims. Examples include the UK Green Claims Code and the EU Green Claim Directive, which are designed to hold companies accountable for the accuracy and transparency of their sustainability communications. The requirements are clear: claims must be truthful, backed up by solid data, and cover the whole lifecycle of a product.
That’s why it’s so important to rely on a technology partner with recognized accreditations and proven experience in both the food sector and environmental regulation. This gives you access to the right tools and communication materials to ensure your claims are accurate, transparent, and fully compliant.
How to Get Started with Carbon Labeling
The good news? You don’t need an internal climate science team to make it happen. Partnering with a platform like Klimato gives you everything you need: from life cycle-based emission data, to automated carbon labels and methodologies that are backed by science.
Start small. Label your top-selling dishes. Track the impact. Tweak your sourcing and menu design accordingly. And if you're ready to scale, use that data to stand out in procurement pitches, hotel group meetings, or sustainability rankings.
Want to see it in action? Here’s how sustainability practices can directly boost profitability in food businesses, from cost savings to premium positioning.
Labels Are More Than Just Labels
A carbon emission label isn’t a marketing gimmick. It’s a tool for real change and real business impact. In an industry built on fast decisions and fierce competition, transparency wins. And food businesses that act now? They’ll be the ones leading tomorrow.
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
Serve sustainability on every plate.
We're a team of scientists and technologists building tools to help food businesses become more sustainable.
