When calculating their carbon footprint, many users who are keen to take action ask themselves: why doesn't the Nos Gestes Climat tool allow us to declare that we prefer sustainable, second-hand or eco-designed goods? After all, these choices are recognised for their positive impact on the environment compared to buying standard or fast fashion products. The answer lies both in the current methodological limitations and the desire to keep the calculator simple. Here are the explanations and prospects for future developments.
Individual carbon labelling... still non-existent
At present, there is no systematic carbon labelling for every product, good or service sold, either in Switzerland or in most European countries. However, in order to integrate the real and specific impact of each purchase into a simulator for the general public, it would be necessary to have access to fairly detailed data on:
- the raw materials used,
- eco-design,
- the production site,
- transport,
- distribution and the end of the product's life.
Currently, this level of detail is not available, and the procedure would be too complex and cumbersome for most users.
How does Nos Gestes Climat estimate your impact?
To get around this shortcoming, Nos Gestes Climat has opted for simplicity:
Where possible, the carbon footprint of purchased goods is estimated based on quantities (number of T-shirts, for example) and an emission factor associated with each unit in terms of grams of CO₂e emitted per unit purchased.
- This data is taken from ADEME's Base Carbone® database.
Why does this method not distinguish between sustainable purchases?
The method considers an "average product".
It therefore does not differentiate between:
- a fast fashion T-shirt and a T-shirt labelled,
- a table made from local solid wood and a table made from imported exotic wood,
- a sustainable LED bulb or a disposable gadget.
This: - Greatly simplifies data entry (no need to enter the origin or composition of each item),
- Avoids the declaration of intent effect (sometimes overrated),
- Provides a realistic order of magnitude for the company as a whole.
Result:
Users who make a real effort to buy sustainable or eco-designed products are slightly penalised in the calculation, as their impact tends to be overestimated. However, by buying more sustainable products, people often buy less, which is reflected in a lower carbon footprint.
What about second-hand products?
The only major distinction concerns the significant difference between new products and second-hand or used products.
The main carbon impact of a product lies in its production phase:
- Buying new means manufacturing an additional item (and therefore its impacts: extraction, processing, transport, etc.).
- Buying second-hand means "reusing" a good that has already been produced and spreading its impact over several years/uses.
The carbon impact of a second-hand product is therefore considered to be zero, as it is attributed at the time of its purchase as new.
Our Climate Actions therefore focuses on the volume of new goods purchased each year: reducing this volume by buying less or buying second-hand actually reduces the carbon footprint attributed by the simulator.
Why this methodological choice?
It is all about striking a balance between simplicity and accuracy.
Nos Gestes Climat, a tool designed for the general public, aims to be quick, understandable and usable by everyone. Adding more detailed questions about the origin, composition or sustainability of each purchase would discourage many users... and make the calculation more complicated, without providing sufficient robustness (the widespread lack of "reliable" carbon data for each product limits the relevance of such sophistication).
Conclusion
You cannot yet accurately assess your eco-friendly purchases in Nos Gestes Climat, but this methodological choice guarantees a simulator that is accessible and faithful to the average reality of the country. Keep in mind that reducing new purchases and favouring sustainable, reconditioned or second-hand items remains an excellent way to limit your footprint, even if the tool does not yet reflect the full subtlety and diversity of your eco-responsible efforts. Future developments may incorporate these virtuous practices as data improves and sustainable goods become the norm!
**To find out more: **
https://www.ge.ch/teaser/consomm-action
https://www.energie-environnement.ch/climat-co2/rechauffement-climatique?id=1593