By simplest definition, a carbon footprint is the total measurement of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide and others, consumed and emitted by an individual, company, organization, event, or any other functional entity. The average carbon footprint per person in the US is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. On a global scale, the average is about 4 tons per person, that is four times less than the US. In order to meet the Paris Agreement Climate pledge of avoiding a 2C global temperature rise, society has to reduce their carbon footprint to under 2 tons by 2050.
What Is A Carbon Footprint And How Does It Apply To Large Corporations?
By simplest definition, a carbon footprint is the total measurement of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide and others, consumed and emitted by an individual, company, organization, event, or any other functional entity. The average carbon footprint per person in the US is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. On a global scale, the average is about 4 tons per person, that is four times less than the US. In order to meet the Paris Agreement Climate pledge of avoiding a 2C global temperature rise, society has to reduce their carbon footprint to under 2 tons by 2050.
A Deeper Look Into The Footprint
A carbon footprint is the inclusion and calculation of the direct emissions given off from any productive activity, including – combustion in manufacturing, heating, transportation and electricity. Along with the energy and electricity needed to produce goods and services. The released emissions are greenhouse gasses (GHG), which are a strong combination of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The concept of a carbon footprint derives from the original 1990s concept, the ecological footprint, invented by Canadian ecologist William Rees and Swiss-origin regional planner Mathis Wackernagel at the University of British Columbia. An ecological footprint is the total amount of land that it would take to sustain a certain performed activity or resting population. With a main focus on the environmental impacts such as water usage, land used for food production such as fisheries, ranches, and farms, forests used for wood products, and construction for housing and commercial infrastructure. These activities are based upon the natural resources, while the carbon footprint finds success through the measurement of emissions used during the duration of these activities. The carbon footprint goes a couple steps deeper into calculating the overall impact humans have on the planet.
In order to offset these imminent emissions, one way to reduce emissions, or extract the atmospheric carbon, carbon credits can be purchased. These credits are bought through the carbon market, which is exponentially increasing in popularity. In simplest terms, they are essentially a permit representing 1 ton of CO2 eliminated from the airways. Depending on the market you purchase from, the process from transaction to extraction is regulated and has necessary standards that need to be met.
Applications
Corporate carbon footprints (CCF) are another, more extensive form of footprint. These cover all indirect and direct emissions related to any company activity. Meaning that emissions across the entire supply chain, from conception to production to transportation is calculated. Many of these larger companies will include the labored hours of resource sourcing and logistical practices, as well as end-of-life disposal into the overall grand total – the entire life cycle of a product is under review. CCF calculation is a crucial process of business functionality and serves various purposes. It allows for transparency in discovering a business’s optimal opportunity in reducing emissions and helps the business identify the practices or departments that have the most impact, or emit the most climate risk.
Calculating CCF, also gives investors and stakeholders the reassurance of proper productivity. Especially for the holders that are planet-conscious, or have investments in more “green” businesses, it allows them to fully comprehend a corporation's carbon production and become knowledgeable of the steps they are taking in reducing these emissions. In the climate race, we are seeing a ramp up from investors, bankers, stakeholders and insurers towards decarbonization efforts, meaning they will support decarbonization initiatives, projects, and programs – this can create more investment opportunities. In fact, those in the race representing $130 million in assets have already committed to combating climate change. Is that saying the investments were fully scaled and not green washed? Not necessarily, but that grand portion of money can assist with hundreds to thousands of green initiatives and or be put towards the carbon credit market.
The Lasting Efforts
Overall, whether you are an individual, an organization hosting events, or part of an influential corporation, calculating your carbon footprint, in any capacity, is an ideal way to fight back against the climate crisis. Determining and assessing weaknesses to in turn create functional solutions can be seen as a huge step. The goal here is to not only reduce that average footprint of every US civilian, but to reduce impact in all global aspects. By reducing emissions in the atmosphere, the ocean’s surface temperature will eventually stabilize or even decrease, along with a decrease in water contamination and habitat destruction – a lasting domino effect. Every effort counts!
Key Takeaways:
- The average American has a carbon footprint of 16 tons!
- The calculation of a company’s or organization’s footprint is crucial in deciphering the necessary steps to reduce global emissions. Calculating your own can be beneficial in learning how household steps can contribute to reducing the overall impact.
- Everyone and every establishment has a responsibility to be aware of their impact, from sourcing products, to energy and water usage, to resourced materials, even the electricity used in an office building. Every little component counts towards the total.
If you want to calculate your carbon footprint, go to the Nature Conservancy website, it offers quick and reader friendly steps. Happy Saving!!
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By simplest definition, a carbon footprint is the total measurement of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide and others, consumed and emitted by an individual, company, organization, event, or any other functional entity. The average carbon footprint per person in the US is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. On a global scale, the average is about 4 tons per person, that is four times less than the US. In order to meet the Paris Agreement Climate pledge of avoiding a 2C global temperature rise, society has to reduce their carbon footprint to under 2 tons by 2050.
A Deeper Look Into The Footprint
A carbon footprint is the inclusion and calculation of the direct emissions given off from any productive activity, including – combustion in manufacturing, heating, transportation and electricity. Along with the energy and electricity needed to produce goods and services. The released emissions are greenhouse gasses (GHG), which are a strong combination of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The concept of a carbon footprint derives from the original 1990s concept, the ecological footprint, invented by Canadian ecologist William Rees and Swiss-origin regional planner Mathis Wackernagel at the University of British Columbia. An ecological footprint is the total amount of land that it would take to sustain a certain performed activity or resting population. With a main focus on the environmental impacts such as water usage, land used for food production such as fisheries, ranches, and farms, forests used for wood products, and construction for housing and commercial infrastructure. These activities are based upon the natural resources, while the carbon footprint finds success through the measurement of emissions used during the duration of these activities. The carbon footprint goes a couple steps deeper into calculating the overall impact humans have on the planet.
In order to offset these imminent emissions, one way to reduce emissions, or extract the atmospheric carbon, carbon credits can be purchased. These credits are bought through the carbon market, which is exponentially increasing in popularity. In simplest terms, they are essentially a permit representing 1 ton of CO2 eliminated from the airways. Depending on the market you purchase from, the process from transaction to extraction is regulated and has necessary standards that need to be met.
Applications
Corporate carbon footprints (CCF) are another, more extensive form of footprint. These cover all indirect and direct emissions related to any company activity. Meaning that emissions across the entire supply chain, from conception to production to transportation is calculated. Many of these larger companies will include the labored hours of resource sourcing and logistical practices, as well as end-of-life disposal into the overall grand total – the entire life cycle of a product is under review. CCF calculation is a crucial process of business functionality and serves various purposes. It allows for transparency in discovering a business’s optimal opportunity in reducing emissions and helps the business identify the practices or departments that have the most impact, or emit the most climate risk.
Calculating CCF, also gives investors and stakeholders the reassurance of proper productivity. Especially for the holders that are planet-conscious, or have investments in more “green” businesses, it allows them to fully comprehend a corporation's carbon production and become knowledgeable of the steps they are taking in reducing these emissions. In the climate race, we are seeing a ramp up from investors, bankers, stakeholders and insurers towards decarbonization efforts, meaning they will support decarbonization initiatives, projects, and programs – this can create more investment opportunities. In fact, those in the race representing $130 million in assets have already committed to combating climate change. Is that saying the investments were fully scaled and not green washed? Not necessarily, but that grand portion of money can assist with hundreds to thousands of green initiatives and or be put towards the carbon credit market.
The Lasting Efforts
Overall, whether you are an individual, an organization hosting events, or part of an influential corporation, calculating your carbon footprint, in any capacity, is an ideal way to fight back against the climate crisis. Determining and assessing weaknesses to in turn create functional solutions can be seen as a huge step. The goal here is to not only reduce that average footprint of every US civilian, but to reduce impact in all global aspects. By reducing emissions in the atmosphere, the ocean’s surface temperature will eventually stabilize or even decrease, along with a decrease in water contamination and habitat destruction – a lasting domino effect. Every effort counts!
Key Takeaways:
- The average American has a carbon footprint of 16 tons!
- The calculation of a company’s or organization’s footprint is crucial in deciphering the necessary steps to reduce global emissions. Calculating your own can be beneficial in learning how household steps can contribute to reducing the overall impact.
- Everyone and every establishment has a responsibility to be aware of their impact, from sourcing products, to energy and water usage, to resourced materials, even the electricity used in an office building. Every little component counts towards the total.
If you want to calculate your carbon footprint, go to the Nature Conservancy website, it offers quick and reader friendly steps. Happy Saving!!
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