What is a carbon footprint and how to reduce it?

The problem of global warming is growing every year. The main reason for this phenomenon is the excessive emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The concept of carbon footprint and decarbonisation is closely related to global warming. What do they mean? How can you reduce your carbon footprint ? Let's check.

Carbon footprint - definition

In recent years, the issue of protecting the natural environment and non-renewable resources has become a priority for many countries. Particular attention was paid to the so-called carbon footprint, i.e. the total sum of greenhouse gas emissions generated by companies, products or households. Decarbonisation, ie reducing CO ₂ emissions, is currently one of the main topics of public debates devoted to ecology.

A carbon footprint applies to both carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions that result from various activities or processes. In order to be able to calculate the carbon footprint, it is necessary to analyze the various activities, procedures and ordinary daily activities that may have an impact on the increase in the amount of gases.

Carbon footprint: examples

How to understand the concept of a carbon footprint? Contrary to appearances, it does not only apply to large industrial plants or transport companies. The human carbon footprint is, for example:

• using a car, plane, public transport, etc.,
• use of electrical installations, air conditioning, heating,
• waste disposal,
• consumption and purchase of goods.

We leave a carbon footprint through exhaust emissions and the use of renewable and non-renewable resources. Our consumer choices also have a significant impact on CO ₂ emissions. We can use local goods or order foreign goods, the transport of which significantly affects the formation of the greenhouse effect.

What leaves the biggest carbon footprint?

Individual activities, industries or products generate a specific carbon footprint. According to the data provided by Investopedia, the list of the main emitters of carbon dioxide includes:

• United States,
• China,
• Russia,
• Germany,
• Great Britain.

The largest human carbon footprint is created by transport, industry, animal husbandry and food production. Households also have a significant impact on the greenhouse effect - as users of various types of installations and devices, we leave a significant carbon footprint.

What is the importance of reducing the carbon footprint?

Members of pro-environmental organizations, scientists and rulers are still debating what ways to reduce the carbon footprint should be used in business and in everyday life. This is a very important issue, which, if ignored, may lead to the acceleration of the global warming process. Increasing the temperature on Earth results in:

• intensification of climatic anomalies (droughts, floods) and violent weather phenomena (hailstorms, storms, heavy rains),
• melting of glaciers and shrinking drinking water resources,
• extinction of entire ecosystems.

In addition, reducing the carbon footprint is good for our wallets! When we start making conscious consumer choices and choose ecological solutions and local or zero waste products, we spend less. Knowledge about the carbon footprint and rational shaping of everyday habits (using the Internet, television, household appliances and electronics, vehicles) also allows you to better control your home budget.

How to reduce your carbon footprint?

There are many effective and simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint . Every human being has an impact on what the natural environment will look like in the coming centuries. There are many examples of pro-ecological activities: one can commute to work by two-wheeler, introduce limits on the use of certain household appliances (air conditioners, computers). It is also worth using the assortment of local sellers and avoid buying goods from distant corners of the world.

There is no doubt that global corporations and large industrial plants are also responsible for the increase in the carbon footprint of our planet. However, modern businesses are increasingly based on the concept of sustainable development. Companies are introducing energy-saving, pro-ecological solutions aimed at decarbonisation on a local and global scale. What solutions are we talking about? These are various activities such as:

• developing well-thought-out supply chain concepts,
• purchase of energy-saving, efficient machines and devices,
• reducing the production of waste in companies.

Analysis of the carbon footprint of companies - is it mandatory?

Currently, various concepts of decarbonization and reduction of the carbon footprint are being developed in the world, in Poland and in Europe, such as:

• European Green Deal,
• Polish State Environmental Policy 2030,
• Act of 17 July 2009 on the management system of emissions of greenhouse gases and other substances,
• Directives 2001/80/EC, Directives 2001/81/EC and 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Polish companies are currently not subject to the obligation to conduct carbon footprint analyses. However, it is common practice in larger companies to exchange information on the carbon footprint of products or processes. The preparation of reports on carbon footprints in companies is very easy thanks to special, free calculators provided by the UN and the Carbon Footprint Foundation (CFF).