Matthew Isaacs: “In 2050, everyone will be carbon literate”
It's all about the data.
Matthew Isaacs is the co-founder of My Emissions. The London-based startup offers food companies “quick and affordable” carbon calculations and labels, at “a fraction of the cost” of traditional life cycle assessments. He works with well-known brands like Just Eat, THIS™ and Clean Kitchen Club.
It’s important work. With “at least 26%” of greenhouse gas emissions coming from food, Matthew believes giving producers and consumers more data will help them to make more sustainable decisions.
The conversation below, edited for brevity and clarity, explores how exactly we can do that.
Matthew, you predict that “in 2050, everyone will be carbon literate.” What does carbon literacy mean to you?
To me, it means a few things. It’s people knowing what a high carbon footprint and a low carbon footprint look like. It’s having an instinctive understanding on what activities lead to each. And, it’s knowing what actions people can take to increase or decrease their footprint.
Right now, if I asked:
What has a bigger carbon footprint: driving from London to Brighton or eating an eight ounce steak?
…I don’t think many people would know the answer to that question.
Why do you think that is?