Will there be a certification specific to Québec ? [+]

Given the difficulties in certifying the accuracy of product carbon footprints and the unclear level of recognition a Québec certification would have in foreign markets, this does not appear to be the feasible avenue in the short term.

What will the logo be used for? [+]

The logo is used to identify the project and all the work that will stem from the initiative. It is not intended to be used on the product label.

What is the difference between quantification and certification? [+]

Quantification is calculating the carbon footprint of a product or service.

Certification is having an independent third party (for example a reputable auditing firm) come in and give written assurance that the calculated carbon footprint is accurate.

Why start with a pilot project and not offer the financing measure to all businesses right away? [+]

Current situation: lack of harmonization of quantification and certification best practices

• Raises questions on the comparability of carbon footprint results and therefore on the benefits and usefulness of comparing similar products for consumers
• Credibility risks of carbon footprint labelling if the quality of information posted is not reliable
• In an effort to spend the $24M budgetary envelope responsibility and develop a thorough and credible labelling program, we must first highlight best practices to be applied

What will you be doing during the pilot project? [+]

Carbon footprint assessment:

We will compare and test different methodologies in order to determine what methodologies to use in the roll out phase of the measure.

• Objective: the pilot serves to provide a toolbox for the roll out phase and provide the methodological guidance required for companies to accurately assess their product’s carbon footprint.

Carbon footprint certification:

The expertise of the BNQ was mandated to evaluate the potential and added value of developing a certification program.

• Objective: determine whether we should:
• Develop a certification specific to Québec? ; OR
• Provide guidance towards the most relevant existing certification according to target markets?

What methodologies will be employed? [+]

For carbon footprint assessment:

• Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Standard - methodology that will be employed by all participating companies
• Results will also be compared with results obtained using the following methodologies:
• PAS2050
• ISO14067 - Draft international standard
• Different product category rules or PCRs (sector specific methodological guidelines that enable greater comparability of the carbon footprint results of similar products)

How where the participating companies selected? [+]

• Following the announcement of the 2010 budget, several companies contacted the MFE and expressed interest in taking part in this project. In parallel, several consulting firms were also proactive in contacting the ministry to suggest potential companies. From these initial contacts, a preliminary list of potential pilot companies was compiled.
• From this list, the CIRAIG selected the participating companies based on different criteria and desire to cover a broad spectrum of businesses and products:
• Associations, large companies, SMEs
• Different industry sectors
• End products, intermediate products, services
• Different levels of supply chain complexity
• Generation of co-products
• Methodological parameters that could significantly influence results

What is the role of the CIRAIG? [+]

Scientific coordination and management of the pilot project:

• Selection of participating companies, information webinars, accompaniment during the assistance agreement process.
• Methodology identification in collaboration with participating companies and consultants
• Project development
• Analysis and comparison of results obtained using different methodologies
• Make recommendations once the pilot project reports have been submitted and analysed

What is the role of the BNQ? [+]

The role of the BNQ in the pilot project will focus mainly on carbon footprint verification and certification aspects. The BNQ will essentially evaluate the potential and added value of developing a certification program specific to Québec and test different auditing methods associated with making an environmental declaration on the carbon footprint of products.

Are there any other similar initiatives elsewhere in Canada, the United States or worldwide? [+]

• National labelling programs:
• Sweden, Thailand, North Korea
• Pilot projects:
• Japan is finalizing its 2 year pilot project to implement a labelling program
• France: national experiment on environmental labelling
• Summer 2012: will decide based on the results of the pilot whether environmental labelling becomes mandatory
• North America:
• None

What are the benefits for companies participation in the pilot? [+]

• Benefits of assessing the carbon footprint of their product(s)
• Identify the life cycle stages responsible for the most GHG emissions
• Target key levers for energy efficiency and cost reductions
• Identify new business opportunities
• Promote innovation
• Benefits of the pilot specifically
• Take part in a structuring project for Québec that will grow the province’s leadership in this field
• Increased visibility of their proactive approach to environmental labelling
• Benefit from the support of carbon footprint experts
• Promote the innovative nature of their products
• Strengthen the competitive advantages of their products

Is the pilot project related to the $1.5 M announced for the Québec life cycle database project? [+]

The Québec database project for inventory life cycle data is also a project lead by the CIRAIG. The database project aims to adapt the generic life cycle database ecoinvent to the Québec context. The goal is to gain access to data that is representative of the Québec context in an effort to improve the quality and accuracy of life cycle assessments and carbon footprints. Companies involved in the carbon footprint project are encouraged to provide life cycle data for the database project.

Why does the project focus on the carbon footprint and not on the broader environmental footprint that includes other environmental impacts like France is doing? [+]

• In North America, businesses are more sensitive to impacts on climate change than on other environmental aspects
• This is a first step in raising awareness to environmental labelling
• Beginning this way provides room for the growth of environmental labelling in Québec and gives us the option to eventually broaden the scope to include other environmental impacts
• The carbon footprint evaluates a product’s impact on climate change over its life cycle
• Climate change is a major issue and a priority for action of the Québec government who is a leader in numerous climate change initiatives. Therefore, it makes sense to begin environmental labelling efforts this way.