Carbon Footprint

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.

The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.

A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the primary footprint and the 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). We have direct control of these.

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. To put it very simply - the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

What is YOUR carbon footprint?

To calculate your carbon footprint, visit either of these two websites:
     Carbonfootprint.com
     The Nature Conservancy

Want to learn about product-specific footprints?

For calculations on specific automobile makes and models, visit:
     Fueleconomy.com
For calculations on specific consumer products, visit:
     Consumer Report - Greener Choices