General operation
The calculation of the Green-score is based on the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). It also mobilizes complementary indicators to form a score out of 100.
This score is displayed as letters, from A to F.
Basis of reference: Life cycle analysis
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardized, multi-criteria, and multi-step environmental assessment methodology. It is widely used in the scientific world to assess impacts on the environment.
LCAs for each product category have been carried out by ADEME (the Ecological Transition Agency) as part of the Agribalyse project : they assess the environmental impacts of 2,500 product categories.
The LCA is integrated into the Green-score in the form of a score out of 100 points.
It represents the basic basis of the rating, to which are added additional indicators, detailed below.
The LCA score is based solely on the type of product (chocolate cookie, 4 cheese pizza, tomato sauce, etc.).
Additional indicators
The additional indicators make it possible to capture other environmental issues not represented by LCA, such as biodiversity, the protection of endangered species, or even local supply. They complete the score to allow a wider field of factors to be covered.
1. Production system
In the current state of knowledge, LCA indicators are not sufficient to compare production systems (organic farming versus conventional farming, for example). They do not understand, for example, the issues linked to biodiversity, or to the impact of phytosanitary products on ecosystems (water in particular).
The labels that may be present (Bio, Demeter, Rainforest, etc.) allow bonuses to be obtained, depending on the level of environmental benefits they represent.
This criterion is integrated in the form of a bonus: from 5 to 20 points.
2. Local procurement
The Agribalyse LCA does not capture the precise origin of the ingredients for a given product. They use origin mixes to assess the impact of "average" transport.
As part of the Green-score, the origin of each ingredient in a product is collected. It makes it possible to precisely modulate the score of each product according to the origin of each ingredient.
This criterion is integrated in the form of a bonus: from 0 to 15 points.
3. Environmental policy
The average Agribalyse data does not fully capture the differences linked to the country of production. In order to reflect the country's environmental policy (discharge standards, electricity production, biodiversity, etc.), the Green-score is adjusted according to the producer countries.
This criterion is integrated in the form of a bonus / penalty: from -5 to +5 points.
4. Circularity of packaging
Good packaging practices (recyclability, reduction of packaging, integration of recycled raw materials, etc.) are poorly represented in LCAs. A packaging score is calculated to reflect the level of circularity of the packaging. The objective is to enhance the recyclability of packaging, and its production from recycled raw material ("closed loop" system). Conversely, this criterion devalues packaging made from non-renewable and non-recyclable resources.
This criterion is integrated in the form of a penalty: from 0 to -15 points.
5. Threatened species
LCAs do not capture the issues related to biodiversity. To date, 2 criteria have been taken into account:
The depletion of the fish stock, leading to the risk of the disappearance of certain species due to overfishing
Massive deforestation linked to oil palm cultivation leading to the risk of the disappearance of many species (primates, tigers, birds)
This criterion is integrated in the form of a penalty of -10 points.
Synthesis
The Green-score consists of a score out of 100 calculated from the category of the product, supplemented by additional indicators relating to the specificities of the product in question. It is calculated by adding all the components:
The score out of 100 determines the associated Green-score letter:
Last updated
