What is an Eco-Score?
The Calyx.eco Eco-Score is a sustainability rating system designed to help businesses and consumers quickly understand the environmental impact of food and beverage products. Issued by Calyx.eco, the Eco-Score offers an easy-to-read, A-to-E scale that rates products based on key sustainability metrics, including carbon footprint, water usage, biodiversity impact, and resource efficiency.
How Does the Eco-Score Work?
Each food product receives a rating based on a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), which assesses the environmental impacts of every stage of the product’s lifecycle—from raw material extraction, production, transportation, and packaging, to its disposal.
This analysis helps businesses pinpoint which areas of their supply chain or product lineup need improvement and which are performing well in terms of sustainability.
A. Best sustainability performance, minimal environmental impact.
B. Very good performance, room for minor improvement.
C. Average, with some areas for improvement.
D. Below average, higher environmental impact than preferred.
E. The least sustainable option, with significant environmental concerns.
Why is an Eco-Score Important?
Eco-Scores help businesses make informed decisions about the environmental impacts of their products, allowing them to enhance sustainability practices and communicate transparently with consumers. It also supports the growing demand for environmental disclosure as consumers, investors, and regulators alike are increasingly seeking sustainable, eco-friendly products.
The Eco-Score offers a clear and transparent way to measure and communicate sustainability, helping businesses stay ahead of regulatory requirements and consumer expectations while providing consumers with simple, actionable insights to make more eco-conscious choices.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases released during the production, transport, and disposal of a product. Reducing emissions is key to mitigating climate change.
What Does the Eco-Score Measure?
Water Usage
The amount of water used throughout the product’s lifecycle. Efficient water use is essential, especially in water-scarce regions, and minimizing water usage is a critical component of sustainability.
Biodiversity Impact
Measures the effect of the product’s production on ecosystems and wildlife. Practices like deforestation and monoculture farming can harm biodiversity, while sustainable sourcing helps protect it.
Resource Efficiency
Assesses how well resources, such as energy and raw materials, are used throughout the product’s lifecycle. More efficient use of resources means less waste and a smaller environmental footprint.
Why Should You Care?
The Eco-Score makes sustainability simple and accessible for businesses and consumers alike. For businesses, adopting sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, improved market positioning, and alignment with global sustainability frameworks. For consumers, the Eco-Score provides a quick and reliable way to make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions.
As sustainability becomes a key focus for companies worldwide, the Eco-Score empowers businesses to enhance transparency, reduce risks, and capitalize on new opportunities in an increasingly eco-aware market. By using the Eco-Score, both companies and consumers can contribute to a more sustainable future, reducing their environmental impact, and ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
The Eco-Score offers a clear and transparent way to measure and communicate sustainability, helping businesses stay ahead of regulatory requirements and consumer expectations while providing consumers with simple, actionable insights to make more eco-conscious choices.
