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Anyone who wants to do something good for the environment should focus on reducing their ecological footprint. Many people choose local products for this reason—but are they always the better choice? Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Regional Products?

Before we dive in, we should first clarify what exactly is meant by "local products." Generally, these are products that are produced within a certain geographical region and only travel short distances to reach the consumer. Shorter transport routes mean fewer CO2 emissions.

However, there is no clear definition of what “local” actually means. Depending on the region, it can be interpreted differently. Sometimes, "local" refers to products made within the same country, while other times it is defined by a set radius around the consumer's home. This can easily be misleading. A product marketed as "local" might still have traveled long distances across the country. In such cases, the CO2 footprint of an imported product could actually be better.

The Ecological Footprint of Local Products

Let’s assume that “local” really means the products come from the immediate area and have shorter transport routes. Even then, that’s no guarantee of a better CO2 balance.

A good example is apples that, after being harvested, are stored in refrigerated warehouses for months before hitting the shelves. This storage requires a lot of energy and causes additional CO2 emissions. As a result, imported apples that are sold right after harvest could have a better CO2 footprint, even if they are transported by ship or plane.

Is Everything Wrong, No Matter What You Do?

No, don’t worry—that's not what I’m saying. But it’s worth taking a closer look. If you really want to make a difference, take the time to find out where your regularly purchased products actually come from and how they are treated. If you eat seven apples a week, it's worth making the effort to compare the CO2 footprint of those apples, even if the better option comes from abroad. Or if you eat a lot of meat and think it’s from a nearby farm, but the animals are slaughtered hundreds of kilometers away—the supposedly "local" choice might not be as sustainable as you thought.

Closing Words

So, the ecological footprint of local products isn’t necessarily better than that of imported goods. Before you skip over imported foods on your next shopping trip due to their supposedly bad CO2 balance, it’s worth looking more closely and considering all the factors. There’s often more to it than meets the eye.