Carbon Label Menus

In 2023, we collaborated with Food Made Good Hong Kong (now Future Green) to introduce menu carbon labelling to food and beverage outlets on the 8 campuses.

Selected dishes are presented with a carbon label showing an indication of whether their carbon footprint equals a low, medium or high climate impact. A low climate impact meal is defined as emitting 0.5 kg CO2e or less, which is based on WWF’s One Planet Plate initiative for how to eat to reach the UN’s climate goals.

The carbon footprint calculations are based on data retrieved using Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). LCA is an ISO 14040 certified methodology for assessing the environmental aspects of a product during each stage of its lifetime. Carbon footprint is measured in Carbon Dioxide equivalents, CO2e.

When applied to a food context, the carbon footprint of the major ingredients or food products is the environmental impact arising during cultivation, production and distribution. The carbon footprint of a dish is the aggregated carbon footprint of major ingredients.

Klimato, the climate data partner behind the carbon footprint data and calculations, has developed a database with carbon footprint data of food products. The methodology and procedure used for collecting and developing this data have been reviewed and approved by the Swedish Environmental Institute.

Because this project is the first of its kind in Hong Kong campuses, there is no completed and comprehensive emissions data to compare and benchmark against typical meals served in Hong Kong. Instead we have used UK dining data as a comparison for this pilot project, and added transport emissions to Hong Kong. Where data was not available, we used the closest value / product.

Programme consultant: Food Made Good Hong Kong (Now Future Green)

Data Provider: Klimato