FoE & Trucost measure corporate land and water footprint

A new report from Friends of the Earth (FoE) estimates for the first time how much land and water well-known brands such as Apple, Kraft and Gap use in a year, and what is needed to manufacture some of the products they sell.

Based on modelling by environmental data company Trucost, the ‘Mind your step’ report examines the land and water ‘footprints’ of a range of diverse products including smartphones, leather boots, coffee, chicken curry ready-meals, t-shirts, and milk chocolate.

Trucost’s calculations also indicate the extent to which often controversial stages in the manufacture of these products - such as mining for metals and minerals - contribute to these water and land footprints.