Buying the most efficient electrical white goods is easy in the UK. Each product has an energy rating group from A to G, with a traffic light colour code. A’s green and the best, whilst G is red and the worst. Cars use a similar system as well.
But do such rating systems tell the whole story? They don’t consider the total carbon dioxide emissions related to the manufacture and distribution of the product, only its efficiency in use.
Take the Honda Civic and a prospective UK buyer. Buy an economical diesel version and it’s made in the UK. Buy the hybrid version and it’s made in Japan. Take into account the hybrid’s extra manufacturing costs due to its electric motor and battery pack and the transport from Japan, and which model has the lowest carbon footprint from factory to scrapyard? Which should the green UK consumer buy?
There are no official standards and that’s a shame. Consumers can only make green buying choices if they have full information about total carbon emissions.
