Carbon Footprint
What is a carbon footprint
?
Synopsis
A Carbon Footprint is a measure
of the impact human activities have on the environment in
terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of
carbon dioxide.
A Carbon Footprint is made up of the sum of two parts,
the direct/primary
footprint and the indirect/secondary footprint.
1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2
from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption
and transportation (e.g. car and plane).
2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2
emissions
from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with
their manufacture and eventual breakdown.
Carbon footprint
Carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2)
emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels; in the
case of an
organization, business or enterprise, as part of their everyday
operations; in the case of an individual or household, as part of their
daily lives; or a product or commodity in reaching market.
In materials, it is essentially a measure of embodied energy, the
result of life cycle analysis.
A carbon footprint is often expressed as tons of carbon dioxide or tons of carbon emitted, usually on a yearly basis.
There are many versions of calculators available for carbon footprinting. This is directly related to the amount of natural resources consumed, increasingly used or referred to as a measure of environmental impact.
Carbon dioxide is recognized as a greenhouse gas (GHG), >of which increasing levels in the atmosphere are linked to global warming and climate change.
A carbon footprint is often expressed as tons of carbon dioxide or tons of carbon emitted, usually on a yearly basis.
There are many versions of calculators available for carbon footprinting. This is directly related to the amount of natural resources consumed, increasingly used or referred to as a measure of environmental impact.
Carbon dioxide is recognized as a greenhouse gas (GHG), >of which increasing levels in the atmosphere are linked to global warming and climate change.
(Image: Global
Temperature Changes
according to a NASA climate model. Temperatures in some locations
increase over 10 degrees celsius)
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol sets forth a methodology by which voluntary emission reduction can be monetized in the form of a carbon project.
These standards involve the use of an environmental proof called additionality. A carbon label - which shows the carbon footprint embodied in a product in bringing it to the shelf was introduced in the UK in March 2007 by the Carbon Trust.
Examples of products featuring their carbon footprint are Walkers Crisps, Innocent Drinks, and Boots shampoos.
CarbonCounted, which launched in early 2007, is a Canadian based GHG carbon label system that allows companies to link with and leverage their supply chain.
By displaying the CarbonCounted footprint on a product, a supplier is publishing their footprint and committing to emissions reduction. Carbon Reduction Institute, NoCO2 & LowCO certification labels were launched in Australia to allow consumers to determine the reductions of GHG emissions that companies have made. The Carbon Reduction Institute uses a combination of direct life cycle studies and life cycle analyses based on a financial control rational to determine the carbon footprint of companies.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol sets forth a methodology by which voluntary emission reduction can be monetized in the form of a carbon project.
These standards involve the use of an environmental proof called additionality. A carbon label - which shows the carbon footprint embodied in a product in bringing it to the shelf was introduced in the UK in March 2007 by the Carbon Trust.
Examples of products featuring their carbon footprint are Walkers Crisps, Innocent Drinks, and Boots shampoos.
CarbonCounted, which launched in early 2007, is a Canadian based GHG carbon label system that allows companies to link with and leverage their supply chain.
By displaying the CarbonCounted footprint on a product, a supplier is publishing their footprint and committing to emissions reduction. Carbon Reduction Institute, NoCO2 & LowCO certification labels were launched in Australia to allow consumers to determine the reductions of GHG emissions that companies have made. The Carbon Reduction Institute uses a combination of direct life cycle studies and life cycle analyses based on a financial control rational to determine the carbon footprint of companies.
Click here to calculate your Carbon Footprint
