Oct. 9, 2007 Global manufacturers including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Tesco, and Nestlé have banded together to press suppliers to release their carbon emissions data, The Wall Street Journal reports. (via Environmental Leader)

The companies in the new group, called Supply Chain Leadership Coalition, could eventually use the information to evaluate suppliers, setting off competition between suppliers to show their green credentials, according to the article.

The effort comes amid growing concern that stricter climate-change laws could drive up costs for businesses.

"Everybody who uses energy will be impacted if energy prices go up, from the oil wells through the farms and factories, all the way through the retailers to our consumers," says Bill Greggs, an associate director in P&G's global sustainability group.

Interestingly, Unilever and Proctor & Gamble are feeling some green pressure from retailers (ok, one enormous retailer) farther downstream. Wal-Mart has worked with both companies to create more resource-efficient packaging for laundry detergent.

Tesco's CEO has previously said he is willing to try a variety of approaches to reducing the company's carbon footprint, including raising prices if necessary. The company has also been testing the use of carbon labels for the products on its store shelves.