Carbon footprint of main course on Espoo Catering menus
From 19 January 2026, Espoo Catering Oy will display the carbon footprint of the lunch main course on school and day care centre menus. The green footprint icon indicates low (less than 0.1 kg/100 g CO2e), orange average (0.1–0.2 kg/100 g CO2e) and red indicates high (more than 0.2 kg/100 g CO2e) carbon footprint. The footprint icons are visible on our online menus.
The carbon footprint of food indicates how much greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere from the production, transport, storage and processing of food. The carbon footprint icon enables our customers to influence the climate impact of their food, if they so wish. In schools, plant-based food with a low climate impact is available daily. In day care centres, you can choose plant-based lunch by ordering.
The data we use in the calculation of the carbon footprint of food is based on the 2024 climate data of the Natural Resources Institute Finland, which covers the CO2e data of foodstuffs from primary production to the food service operator. Based on the data, we have defined the aforementioned indicative limit values for carbon footprint levels. For foods for which emission data is not available, we use existing data for similar foods.
Espoo Catering wants to promote transition towards a more sustainable lifestyle. We inspire and support Espoo residents in making sustainable choices in their daily lives. The publication of food carbon footprint data supports the objectives of the City of Espoo’s Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap.