Product Labels and Individual Carbon Footprints

Information disclosure often targets individual behavior through labels and carbon footprints. However, individual responses to information are complex and heterogeneous, and information that is not carefully tailored to the target audience can be ineffective or even lead to unintended consequences. Although carbon labeling of retail consumer products may come to mind when thinking about climate information disclosure, disclosure applies more broadly and encompasses at least six different levels: corporations, investors and lenders, facilities, projects, products, and individuals. This entry addresses the last two levels: carbon labeling and individual carbon footprints.