Green is in at CES

Consumers will soon look for more information on how a product was manufactured, what the packaging consists of, and what materials are used inside, according to research published as CES begins.

The report, prepared by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), it suggests people will pay more for truly green products.

Green is becoming a purchasing factor, said Steve Koening, director of industry analysts at the CEA, which organises the giant annual Consumer Electronics Show. More than half are willing to pay a little more for 'green', said Mr Koening. 22 percent said they were willing to pay up to 15 percent more for it.

The conversion to a green mind-state is pushing up the demand for greener gadgets.

Last year's CES -- the largest electronics exhibition anywhere -- ushered in a eco-friendly atmosphere with the introduction of 500 feet of floor space dedicated to cleaner technologies.

This year that space has grown to more than 3000 square feet, featuring companies like Fuji with Environmax batteries, and even Motorola featuring what it claims to be a cleaner cell-phone.

But, the CEA report also said that consumers are very skeptical about the green claims made by hi-tech firms for their products.

More than 38 percent of those interviewed by the CEA said they were confused by green product claims and 58 percent wanted to know the specific attributes that prompted hi-tech firms to label their products green.

Consumers can be sure that the show itself is trying to do its part the help the environment.

CES is working with Carbonfund.org to offset around 20,000 tons of carbon and investing in a combination of certified renewable energy, reforestation and energy efficiency projects.

The conference organizers also say they will enable attendees to obtain offsets for their airline travel via the Carbonfund's CES web site or kiosks on the show floor. The conference is reportedly spending about $100,000 on environmental offsets.