How useful are climate labels?

Öko-Institut makes recommendations on the use of product carbon footprints

What greenhouse gas emissions are associated with a beef steak or a pack of frozen vegetables? What carbon emissions arise during the manufacture, use and disposal of a TV or a freezer? In recent years a number of new schemes for analysing product carbon footprints (PCFs) have emerged all over the world, accompanied by private or state-run product labelling schemes. A new international standard (ISO 14067) for the calculation of carbon footprints is due to be developed by 2010.

12.01.2010

"Responsibility for climate protection doesn't stop at the factory gates"

Interview on BOSCH company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) web site: Christian Hochfeld, Member of the Executive Board of the Öko-Institut, reports on a pilot project to calculate the CO2 footprints of various products – their 'product carbon footprint' (PCF).

Climate protection has become a key issue in product development and marketing – and not only in the automotive industry. What is the significance of the 'CO2 footprints' of various other products? The Öko-Institut has completed a PCF pilot project on the subject involving a number of firms. Christian Hochfeld gives a report on the project and its results in an interview on the CSR web site of Bosch company.

13.11.2009

'The time has come for us to depolarise ecology and economics and to harmonise them instead.'

Opening speech by EU Commissioner Günter Verheugen at the annual international conference of the Öko-Institut in Brussels. Discussion with some 160 participants.

Some 160 participants from the worlds of politics, science, academia and industry met on November 5, 2009, in Brussels at the Annual International Conference of the Öko-Institut, where they participated in discussion about a sustainable industrial policy for Europe with distinguished speakers and guests. The opening speech was held by Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry. 'The time has come for us to depolarise ecology and economics and to harmonise opportunities for growth with the struggle to stop climate change,' said Verheugen. In his judgement, the restructuring of the industrial sector, with a horizontally anchored, pan-European industrial policy, is an essential factor in making European industry competitive.

05.11.2009

A fundamental change to a 'green' model for industry and the economy is urgently needed

Öko-Institut: Annual International Conference on Sustainable Industrial Policy for Europe begins today / An appeal to Brussels

The global economic crisis, the threat of climate change and dwindling natural resources are posing new challenges to European industrial policy. A paradigm shift to a 'green' economy is urgently needed. In fact, there is no alternative. One aspect of such a shift is the conversion of industrial policy into the motor of sustainable production and consumption. This is the assessment put forth today by the Öko-Institut, one of Europe's leading environmental research institutes, at its annual conference in Brussels. The theme of this year's international conference is Sustainable Industrial Policy for Europe.

02.11.2009

The Green Economy: Looking to the Future

Sustainability: The Cure for the Crises / New issue of eco@work online now

The fresh issue of eco@work, out today, explores ‘Sustainable Industrial Policy for Europe’. How can truly sustainable development be achieved in times like these – times of crisis? What do we want to change in the future? What can we change? What must we change? Read more about it in our main article. You will also find a range of other articles on current projects and research findings from the Öko-Institut.

Read about it here >>.

30.10.2009

Öko-Institut 2008/2009 Annual Report out now!

Roundup of projects, milestones and products

The Öko-Institut’s latest annual report is hot off the press: on 24 pages, it showcases research projects in 2008 and 2009 and explores the institute’s current priorities. “Sustainable industrial policy for Europe” is this year’s focal theme. In his editorial, Helmfried Meinel, Chair of the Committee, sets out the institute’s vision with regard to that theme. Executive Board member Christian Hochfeld enlarges in an interview. The institute’s researchers present their landmark projects designed to deliver the science underpinning sustainable industrial policy. The report further looks back on the milestones of the previous year, and casts its gaze to the Öko-Institut’s International Annual Conference. The report is available for download free of charge as a pdf file here>>.