Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries official introducing the greenhouse gas reduction "visualization" labels at an event on November 19, 2023 in Tokyo's Minato Ward. (©Sankei by Maya Michimaru)
Read the full story on Japan 2 Earth - New Label Scheme Enhances Visibility of Emissions Reductions in Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) has created a new label to raise awareness of decarbonization initiatives in agriculture. As efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions progress, the scheme could lead to the reexamining of conventional production and distribution. Full-scale implementation is set to begin in March. These "visualization" labels are to be affixed to agricultural products and packaging, aiming to inform consumers at the point of sale.
The New Label
The labels target 23 items including rice and tomatoes. They will display GHG reduction effects based on cultivation management records.
Efforts that reduce emissions by more than 5% compared to conventional farming practices in a region receive one star. Reduction rates over 20% receive a maximum of three stars.
For rice, labels will also indicate the level of contribution to conserving biodiversity through reduced pesticide use. Producers welcome the new system that makes it easier to quantify and communicate their efforts.
Continue reading the full story on Japan 2 Earth to learn more about efforts to make consumers aware of food-related emissions.
And find more great articles on the environment and the challenges of achieving the SDGs on our affiliated website Japan 2 Earth (J2E), sparking a transition to a sustainable future.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
