HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeSustainabilityback to Research & Knowledge“Carbon is the new calorie”: Logitech’s carbon impact label to drive transparency in sustainabilityback to Sustainability

Case Study

“Carbon is the new calorie”: Logitech’s carbon impact label to drive transparency in sustainability

By Julia Katharina Binder and Heather Cairns-Lee

18 pages

April 2023

Order this case study

Reference: IMD-7-2416

This topical case covers the period from 2019 to 2022, when Prakash Arunkundrum, head of global operations and sustainability at Logitech, was focusing on reducing the company’s carbon footprint. It recounts how he and his team gained internal support to embark on an ambitious carbon labeling initiative and created a transparent methodology to assess, validate and communicate the life cycle carbon value of Logitech’s products. The case highlights Logitech’s journey to becoming climate positive, based on four key pillars; 1) reducing carbon in its products, 2) transitioning to renewable energies, 3) restoring forests and supporting climate impacted communities, and 4) rethinking how to support and enable reuse. However, Prakash realized that the real hurdle would be gaining industry-wide adoption of carbon labeling by other companies and competitors in the tech sector. Logitech tried to garner support for Carbon Clarity by making its approach open source, by investing significant time and energy to raise awareness about the benefits of carbon labeling, and by holding discussions with interested companies, including competitors. Yet despite interest from other companies, they had not yet committed to supporting Carbon Clarity. Prakash was baffled as to why they would not commit and wondered how to make progress to drive sustainability.

IMD business school is an independent academic institute with close ties to business and a strong focus on impact. Through our world-leading Executive Education, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive MBA, and Solutions for Organizations we help leaders and policy-makers navigate complexity and change. Here at IMD, you can develop your strategic thinking skills by learning alongside senior leaders from around the world – set against the inspiring backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

Learning Objective

Understand how to shift attitudes and behaviors toward sustainability through the introduction of carbon labeling.
Examine the key challenges in engaging stakeholders in sustainability initiatives.
Understand how to frame messages to communicate sustainability effectively.

Keywords

Communication, Carbon Labelling, Framing, Stakeholder Engagement, Industry Infrastructure, Industry Innovation, Responsible Consumption, Responsible Production, Goal Partnerships

Settings

World/global, United States of America
Logitech, Manufacturing, Electric and Electronic Equipment, Computer Hardware
2020-2022

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note, Video

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

2022 EFMD Case Writing Competition Award - Responsible Leadership

Executive Programs

🔎 Discover

Sustainability Programs

Create competitive, sustainable business models

Gain insights and tools to embed sustainable practices in your business strategy, enhancing your impact on both your organization and society.

Upcoming Events

📆 Register

Corporate governance experts at IMD For annual conference - IMD Business School

Experience IMD for yourself

Experience what IMD has to offer for you, your career and your future. Join an upcoming Masterclass or Information Session.

Keep reading

Article

Net ero - Political battles - How to survive

Business leaders must master the art of building strategies that take account of partisan divides over net-zero goals while progressing the interests of their company and society.

Geopolitics Strategy Sustainability

By Arturo Bris

in I by IMD

Article

Crying at work: Why tears are not the problem

Crying at work can reveal stress, tension, or needed change. Learn how leaders and teams can respond constructively instead of suppressing emotion.

Human Resources Leadership

By Brenda Steinberg

in I by IMD

Report

Voluntary biodiversity credits: A guide for business

This guide aims to help businesses navigate the rapidly evolving voluntary biodiversity credit (VBC) markets and decide whether and how to engage in VBCs. It is intended for companies that want to help halt biodiversity loss or restore and regener...

Sustainability Strategy

By Adrian Dellecker, Julia Katharina Binder, Peter J. Stephenson and Luca Fumagalli

IMD white paper, 23 September 2025

Article

Bayer - Rethinking Sustainability - Shared Ownership

Rethinking sustainability at Bayer, Daniel Schneiders shows how shifting team ownership and decision-making drives lasting impact across the company.

Sustainability

By Julia Binder and Esther Salvi

in I by IMD

Article

A strategic thinking test for leaders - Brain Circuits

Take the strategic thinking test for leaders to assess your readiness and explore practical steps to strengthen this vital leadership capability.

Leadership Strategy

By Michael D. Watkins

in I by IMD

Net ero - Political battles - How to survive

By Arturo Bris
in I by IMD

Summary

Business leaders must master the art of building strategies that take account of partisan divides over net-zero goals while progressing the interests of their company and society.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications