Keeping tabs on global warming claims
Companies across the globe are increasingly touting their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. But are they for real? A new Web service, soon available on cell phones, offers a reality check. Amy Scott reports.
Smoke rises from German factory (Getty Images)
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SCOTT JAGOW: Coke or Pepsi? McDonald's or Burger King? Amazon or Yahoo? Which companies have the best record on global warming? A new non-profit group issues a scorecard today for shoppers. More now from Amy Scott.
AMY SCOTT: Companies will be ranked based on their greenhouse gas emissions, and how well they disclose climate-related activities. Climate Counts hopes consumers will consider that information when shopping for anything from a new car to a can of soda.
They'll be able to access a company's score by cell phone while shopping. A study co-written by Britain's Consumers International found that shoppers do care about climate change. But spokesman Luke Upchurch says they don't trust companies' own claims.
LUKE UPCHURCH: What they basically want is a third-party verification of this type of information. So rather than a company coming out and saying — or a marketing agency coming out and saying — "this product is great for the environment," consumers want to trust the information they're receiving.
The company behind Climate Counts' information is Stonyfield Farm. The yogurt maker founded the nonprofit. A Climate Counts board member admits even good companies have a ways to go. Stonyfield scored just 63 out of 100.
In New York, I'm Amy Scott for Marketplace.
