From "Vulnerability Bulletin on International Trade versus Carbon Footprint - Vol 2 No. 1" ( page)
carbon footprint does not have a standardized scope . Therefore, the methodologies vary in their consideration of different greenhouse gases (some only measure CO2, while others can measure the six greenhouse gases), and in consideration of direct and indirect emissions in the cycle of product life. The scope of overall carbon footprint includes direct emissions, such as fuel used in the production and distribution of products. However, there are major differences in indirect emissions, such as those relating to: the electricity consumed by the facilities, supplies, waste, employee flights on business, transport and consumer use.
Growing concern about the measures that consider the "carbon content" of products that can be internationally agreed and adopted at national level to address climate change mitigation, have generated interest in further analysis appropriateness of using the carbon footprint of international trade. In particular, the concept of "carbon space" questions why the developing countries, which are responsible for less than 15% of historical carbon emissions and emit much less per capita than developed countries (in some cases just go to issue 2% of U.S. per capita emissions) should incur excessive costs for labeling or have reduced international demand for their products if found to be higher in carbon intensity.
Latin America and the Caribbean is a region with a particular interest in carbon footprint due to its array of export which relies heavily on environmentally sensitive products, and therefore would be affected by the measures to be taken to discriminate against products based on their carbon footprint. It is also an area particularly vulnerable to climate change, sharing an interest in contributing to an agreement which could pave the way towards a low carbon economy.
The concept of carbon footprint is not yet part of international negotiations, but several countries have adopted or are considering measures that take into account or require information about the carbon footprint of a product. Also, are also growing in importance voluntary labels that identify the carbon footprint of a product.
Current debates address many aspects of measuring carbon footprint, including consideration of the responsibility of consumers (usually outside assessments of the carbon footprint), the scope of greenhouse gases to be included in the assessment and the scope of the analysis of product life cycle. Image from
here (I recommend the article on page)
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