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dc.contributor.advisorEdgar Blanco.en_US
dc.contributor.authorTan, Kwan Chongen_US
dc.contributor.otherMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Technology and Policy Program.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2010-03-24T20:34:00Z
dc.date.available2010-03-24T20:34:00Z
dc.date.copyright2009en_US
dc.date.issued2009en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/52752
dc.descriptionThesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.en_US
dc.descriptionThis electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (p. 151-163).en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis looks at the potential of labeling products with life cycle greenhouse gas emission information as a bottom-up, complementary alternative to carbon cap and trade systems. By improving the transparency of product carbon footprint information, a market for low carbon intensity products can be created. The conduct of such product life cycle assessments often allows companies to uncover cost effective emission reduction opportunities typically in the order of 10%-20%. Society benefits both from the increased supply chain efficiency of these companies as well as the heightened awareness of climate change among consumers as companies communicate these information to them. An examination of the history of the development of the nutritional label and various eco-labels in the U.S. highlights the importance of timely government intervention in setting guidelines and standards to prevent companies from misleading consumers with unsubstantiated product health or environmental claims. Case studies of current carbon labeling initiatives worldwide demonstrate the benefits of government affiliation in building credibility during their early stages. This affiliation helps in attracting the participation of large established companies who provide strong reinforcing effects that are crucial to the growth and success of new initiatives. There is still lack of consensus about the ideal format for a carbon label. A seal of approval type label could be ideal to attract companies in the initial stages which can later be succeeded by an information disclosure based format as more consumers start to understand the meaning of product carbon footprints in the future.en_US
dc.description.abstract(cont.) Voluntary public private partnerships have been used extensively by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These partnerships can serve as a potential model for a future carbon labeling initiative in the U.S. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is highlighted as a successful program both in terms of membership growth and emissions saved. System Dynamics modeling is applied as a tool to aid in understanding how the structure of such programs is critical to their success and is demonstrated as a method to potentially quantify the benefits of these programs prior to their actual implementation.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Kwan Chong Tan.en_US
dc.format.extent177 p.en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582en_US
dc.subjectEngineering Systems Division.en_US
dc.subjectTechnology and Policy Program.en_US
dc.titleStimulating carbon efficient supply chains : carbon labels and voluntary public private partnershipsen_US
dc.title.alternativeCarbon labels and voluntary public private partnershipsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeS.M.in Technology and Policyen_US
dc.contributor.departmentMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
dc.contributor.departmentTechnology and Policy Program
dc.identifier.oclc501809983en_US


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