The majority of consumers are keen to see accurate information on greenhouse gas emissions included on food labelling, a new study has revealed.

Researchers at Newcastle Business School carried out the survey, which discovered that three-quarters of shoppers want to see carbon labelling on food products.

While 83 per cent were not sure of their own carbon footprint, 72 per cent agreed that if food packaging contained information on its environmental impact then they would be encouraged to think in a greener manner.

Executive director of the Food Ethics Council Tom MacMillan argued that in reality the measure would have little impact, as consumers tend to make snap decisions on food purchases.

"Most of us spend just seconds choosing each product and already have too much information to digest," he said.

Mr MacMillan added that consumers have previously expressed their desire to see supermarket shelves filled with sustainable products and that they would find this preferable to carbon labelling.