On behalf of REWE International AG SERI, in cooperation with Caritas and GLOBAL 2000, developed a procedure for quantifying and labeling the sustainability of food products. This procedure is the basis for the sustainability label Pro Planet. This label indicates products whose production, processing or utilization harms the environment marginally. Furthermore, social standards are met during production. Hence, the Pro Planet label supports the consumer at sustainable consumption, signalyzing a measurable and reduced handling of antural ressources.
SERI as scientific partner supported the development of ecological sustainability indicators and conducted pilot studies for different product groups (mainly from fruit and vegetable product lines buts eggs as well). Furthermore, SERI conducted research in resource use and environmental impacts of different packaging material, of heating systems (Viennese community heating system) and of various process steps of the REWE supply chain (inventory, distribution, chain store).
The environmental footprint is the initial basis for analyzed products. Over the process chain (production, packaging, transport) a number of indicators quantify environmental impacts: Water Rucksack, Land use, Use of non-renewable and renwable resources and the Carbon Footprint. In addition agricultural indicators have been used according to REPRO System.
More information on the REWE sustainability programme and on Pro Planet is available under www.proplanet-label.at. Further details regarding the quantification and labelling process of different fruit and vegetable products can be retrieved here.