Carbon Footprint Definition, Causes, Importance and Reduction
Carbon footprint is a quantity that represents the total greenhouse emissions associated with a given activity or process. This article discusses carbon footprint definition, causes, importance and reduction, as outlined below;
-Carbon Footprint Definition: 5 Ways to Define Carbon Footprint
-An Overview of What Causes Carbon Footprint
-Importance of Carbon Footprint
-Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Carbon Footprint Definition: 5 Ways to Define Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions produced and released by a given geographic region, organization, product, process, or individual [3].
The carbon footprint concept is a broad one, and encompasses both spatial (area-based) and temporal (time-based) emission dynamics.
Below is an alternative carbon footprint definition that highlights some causes of carbon footprint;
Carbon footprint is an analytical variable that represents the rate and scale of greenhouse gas emissions from a given entity, which could be caused by electricity generation, transport, energy resource exploitation and agriculture, among others.
A more precise description of the factors listed above would be; ‘contributors to carbon footprint’.
It is also necessary to point out the obvious; that carbon footprint makes special reference to carbon dioxide emissions in most cases. However, being a broad concept, it is often made to cover all greenhouse emissions.
The following carbon footprint definition weighs-in on the importance of carbon footprint;
Carbon footprint is a system of measurement that is useful for evaluating greenhouse emissions, environmental impact, economic and social implications of activities and processes related to a given individual or organization [2].
The above definition highlights economic, environmental and social factors; which indicates a link between carbon footprint and the concept of sustainable development.
It may be further interpreted to state that understanding and assessing carbon footprint is an essential measure toward achieving sustainability in both natural and artificial ecosystems [4].
The relationship between carbon footprint and climate change is briefly considered in the carbon footprint definition below;
Carbon footprint is a quantity that can be used to evaluate the risk and rate of climate change and global warming, in terms of the amount of greenhouse emissions produced and released by a given entity or environment [1].
Lastly, the carbon footprint definition below addresses how to reduce carbon footprint, based on some applicable measures;
Carbon footprint is a measure whose value depicts the severity of greenhouse emission and the risk of climate change; and which could be reduced through energy transition, material substitution, energy conservation, improvement in energy efficiency, technological innovation, and circular economic practices like recycling.
An Overview of What Causes Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is caused by all materials, processes, methods, organisms, regions and organizations that directly facilitate the production and/or emission of carbon dioxide, among other greenhouse gases.
These entities can be collectively referred to as ‘carbon sources‘, ‘carbon emitters’, or ‘contributors to carbon footprint’.
Causes of carbon footprint are mainly anthropogenic (human-derived), although some may occur from natural sources. They are listed as follows;
1). Raw material extraction
2). Energy conversion
3). Electricity generation
4). Deforestation
5). Landfilling
6). Agriculture
7). Natural disaster (like volcanic eruption, landslide, wildfire)
8). Transport
9). Waste management
Importance of Carbon Footprint
The main purpose of carbon footprint is to evaluate or measure the rate at which a given entity emits greenhouse gases.
Below are some areas of importance of carbon footprint;
1). Provides information to guide or support the implementation of carbon taxes and carbon trade policies
2). Helps protect human health from the effects of air pollution and other forms of environmental degradation that are related to carbon emission
3). Can be used as a tool for protection of biodiversity and natural habitats
4). Is a useful gauge to aid in environmental remediation and conservation efforts like reforestation
5). Helps in mitigation of economic recession by evaluating resource depletion rates
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint
The following measures are a suitable response to the question of how to reduce carbon footprint;
2). Renewable energy development
3). Soil and water conservation
4). Energy efficient operations
5). Material substitution
6). Waste recycling
7). Green building development
Conclusion
Carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse emissions released from a given entity or source.
Causes of carbon footprint are raw material extraction, energy conversion, electricity generation, deforestation, landfilling, agriculture, natural disaster, transport, and waste management.
Importance of carbon footprint includes carbon trade facilitation, human health protection, biodiversity preservation, environmental remediation, and economic resuscitation.
Ways to reduce carbon footprint are; sustainable agriculture, renewable energy development, water and soil conservation, energy efficient operations, material substitution, waste recycling, and green building development.
References
1). Ali, K. A.; Ahmad, M. I.; Yusup, Y. (2020). “Issues, Impacts, and Mitigations of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Building Sector.” Sustainability 12(18):7427. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187427. (Accessed 1 December 2022).
2). Aras, U.; Kalaycıoğlu, H. (2020). “EVALUATION OF CARBON FOOTPRINT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN WOOD BASED PRODUCT.” Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352820537_EVALUATION_OF_CARBON_FOOTPRINT_AND_ENVIRONMENTAL_IMPACT_IN_WOOD_BASED_PRODUCT. (Accessed 1 December 2022).
3). Wiedmann, T.; Minx, J. C. (2008). “A Definition of Carbon Footprint.” Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247152314_A_Definition_of_Carbon_Footprint. (Accessed 1 December 2022).
4). Zeng, J.; Zhang, R. Z.; Jia, T.; Liang, J.; Li, J.; Zeng, Y.; Li, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Shui, W.; Wang, Q. (2020). “Ecological sustainability assessment of the carbon footprint in Fujian Province, southeast China.” Frontiers of Earth Science 15(2):1-11. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-020-0815-3. (Accessed 1 December 2022).
