Tesco has begun putting carbon footprint labels on its range of milk products.

The retailer’s full fat, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk ranges began carrying the labels this week. The launch followed consumer research showing 50% of consumers now understood the term ‘carbon footprint’ and more than half said they would actively seek out greener products.

The labelling of milk follows a pledge by the retailer to have 500 footprinted products by the end of the year.

“We’re using [milk] to play an important new role in helping our customers understand climate change, the carbon footprints of products, and what steps they can take,” said community and government director David North.

New labels feature the amount of CO2 generated producing the milk, together with a commitment to reducing it. It also states how much will be saved by recycling the pack.

The supermarket was looking to reduce emissions through the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group and its Dairy Centre of Excellence, North added.