Eco-Score: everything you need to know about this ecological label
Reading 4 min
February 22, 2025
The Eco-Score is an environmental rating system that evaluates the ecological impact of food products, from A (low impact) to E (high impact). It helps consumers make responsible choices and encourages companies to adopt sustainable practices. Although effective in raising awareness of environmental impact, it has limitations related to the complexity of the data and criteria evaluated.
% of article read
What is the Eco-Score?
Definition and origin
The Eco-Score is an environmental rating system that evaluates the ecological impact of food products. Inspired by the Nutri-Score, it was created and developed in France in 2021 by stakeholders committed to the ecological transition. The main objective is to provide clear and transparent information to consumers to help them choose environmentally friendly products. The Eco-Score awards a score ranging from A (low impact) to E (high impact), based on several criteria related to the entire product life cycle. This label responds to a growing demand for awareness of the environmental impact of food choices.
Eco-Score Objectives
The Eco-Score aims to raise consumer awareness of the environmental impact of their food choices and encourage more sustainable practices. Its main objectives are:
- Inform consumers: Provide a clear assessment of the ecological impact of products to facilitate responsible choices.
- Encourage sustainable practices: Encourage producers to adopt more environmentally friendly methods to improve their rating.
- Reduce the ecological footprint: Promote consumption that limits greenhouse gas emissions and preserves natural resources.
- Support the ecological transition: Contribute to consumption habits aligned with global climate objectives, such as the Paris Agreement.
How is the Eco-Score calculated?
Evaluation criteria
The Eco-Score is based on a multi-criteria analysis to assess the environmental impact of food products. Its main criteria include:
- Carbon footprint: Measure of greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the product’s life cycle.
- Use of natural resources: Assessment of water, agricultural land and fossil fuel consumption.
- Impact on biodiversity: Agricultural practices, deforestation and preservation of ecosystems.
- Production method: Organic farming, environmental labels and processing methods.
- Transport and packaging: Distance travelled and materials used for product packaging.
These different criteria provide a global and transparent view of the ecological impact of food products.
Scoring system
The Eco-Score uses a simple and visual scoring system to assess the environmental impact of food products. Each product receives a letter, from A (best impact) to E (most impactful), accompanied by a colour ranging from green to red.
The score is calculated based on environmental criteria, such as carbon footprint, consumption of natural resources and impact on biodiversity. Bonuses can be awarded for sustainable labels (AB, Fairtrade) or environmentally friendly practices, while penalties are applied for negative impacts such as deforestation.
This system allows consumers to easily compare products and opt for more responsible choices.
Your free carbon footprint is waiting for you!
Sign up for our free trial, answer 20 questions, and receive your 1st carbon footprint!
Why is the Eco-Score label important?
The Eco-Score is essential to raise consumer awareness of the environmental impact of their food choices. By providing clear and accessible information, it allows to favor products with a lower ecological impact, thus helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also encourages companies to adopt more sustainable practices to improve their rating, promoting a transition to more environmentally friendly production systems. Finally, the Eco-Score strengthens transparency and helps fight greenwashing, offering greater consumer confidence.
What are the advantages and limitations of the Eco-Score label?
The Eco-Score has many advantages for consumers and companies. It raises consumer awareness of the environmental impact of their purchases, helping them to choose more sustainable products. By encouraging companies to adopt responsible practices, it encourages more environmentally friendly food production. In addition, it increases transparency by relying on precise and accessible criteria.
However, the Eco-Score also has its limitations. The data used can sometimes be incomplete or vary depending on the source, which can affect the assessment. Certain local or social specificities are not always taken into account. Finally, its rating system, although practical, simplifies complex issues, which can lead to reductive or erroneous interpretations for consumers.
