CO2 Compensation
for the complete supply chain
How to read the published explanations referring to the CO2 values of products:
Nature & More has undertaken to publish all possible information that is relevant to the presentation of bio products. Therefore, also the partners of our Foundation that use the seal of Nature & More on their products are encouraged to follow this policy of openness concerning the products. The result is that:
1. One of our partner organizations, Eosta B.V. has taken the lead in showing concern for climate related aspects of organic products. Selecting several growers from around the world, Eosta has calculated the greenhouse gas emission levels caused by transport, warehousing and distribution of the produce, as well as for the agricultural production.
2. The CO2 values published here on this website are all certified by TÜV-Nord, one of Germany’s largest certification body accredited by the United Nations for the certification of emission reduction projects*.
3. To begin with, these calculations are made for Argentinean apples and pears, Egyptian oranges as well as vine-tomatoes from Dutch greenhouse production are TÜV-Nord certified as “climate-neutral product”. EOSTA is committed to calculate and offset all their product lines from overseas and European production.
4. The calculation comprises a full-life-cycle carbon assessment: in addition to direct 1st level emissions it also includes indirect 2nd and 3rd level emissions, such as shipping and cooling the manufacturing and transportation of fertilizers and packaging materials, employee transport and business travel.
5. Together with Nature & More, Eosta has now set up Soil & More B.V., a company that operates large composting sites in cooperation with organic producers worldwide. For some of these installations, carbon credits according to the Kyoto Protocol have been generated and certified applying Soil & More’s unique composting technology.
6. To offset its supply-chain related carbon emissions, EOSTA only uses carbon credits generated through such emission reduction projects, carried out by its suppliers. This means, that EOSTA not only calculates and offsets its supply-chain carbon footprint, but also reduces emissions by encouraging growers to participate in compost production in collaboration with Soil & More.
Regional produce vs. overseas produce?
In the discussion on regionally-grown fruit versus produce from overseas, we often hear the argument that regional produce is much less damaging for the climate. While it is accurate that the emissions from transport are less in the case of regionally grown produce, it is also correct that:
· the emissions from storing the produce grown in Europe in a controlled atmosphere, at just above 0° C, also consumes considerable energy. Until recently, produce was stored for 6 - 7 months while nowadays 9 months is the norm and up to a full 12 months storage (beyond the summer!) is being planned. Then, if not earlier, the advantages in terms of CO2 emissions will weigh in favour of produce from overseas
· in addition to the environmental aspect, the social aspects linked to a product are of decisive importance: there is produce (such as fresh fruit from overseas), that from a purely environmental point of view has a less advantageous impact, but does have a decisive importance for establishing a sustainable economic structure in the producing (developing) country. The lives of many families depend directly on that produce and its distribution in Europe and the (since, in contrast to the situation that we are used to, those countries have no social welfare system)
· nobody buys an apple on the basis of CO2 values, the purchase is based on taste, freshness and the attractive look of the apple. Fruit that is stored for a long period maintains its attributes during the time of the cool storage, but loses them very quickly once it is taken out of the controlled atmosphere. On the other hand, produce from overseas that has been stored for only a short time during transport will stay fresh, crisp and tasty for weeks.
Therefore, Nature & More asks the consumer to consider and evaluate all the factors concerning fresh produce
* The basis for these calculations is data taken from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and other verified sources.
To see a concrete example of the CO2 communication, please enter one of the following product codes on this website:
Code 101 - Royal Gala Apple from Fruempac in Argentina
Code 302 - Braeburn from Agro Roca in Argentina
Code 460 - Oranges from Mafa in Argentina
You will find the indications for the CO2 emissions following the quality description of the product.