UK products to get carbon rating

Some businesses are already involved in a pilot scheme

A way of calculating carbon footprints is being developed so all UK goods and services can be rated for emissions.

The scheme's aim is to allow companies to measure the ecological impact of everything from food to flights and cut the greenhouse gas emissions generated.

The project is being developed by a group of experts who should take about 18 months to complete their work.

Environment Minister Ian Pearson said more and more companies want to measure their impact on the environment.

The voluntary scheme will assess emissions created during production, transportation and use of the product.

The initiative has been announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), government-funded company the Carbon Trust, and BSI British Standards.

We need a reliable, consistent way to measure these impacts that businesses recognise, trust and understand Ian Pearson Environment Minister

It is based on a pilot project involving businesses such as Boots, Walkers and Innocent, who will carry a special logo on their products.

Mr Pearson said: "More and more businesses are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment.

"To help them achieve that we need a reliable, consistent way to measure these impacts that businesses recognise, trust and understand."

Consumer advisory body the Energy Saving Trust said it welcomed the initiative.

The announcement comes after the Soil Association said food flown into the UK may be stripped of organic status.