Understanding carbon footprint: a comprehensive environmental indicator.
The carbon footprint is a key indicator for understanding and measuring the environmental impact of our activities. Widely used by policymakers and media alike, this term refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted – both directly and indirectly – by a person, an organization, a territory, an activity, or a product. Expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), this measure is essential for assessing and reducing our contribution to climate change.
This article will help you understand the carbon footprint so you can reduce it, individually or within your company.
1. Greenhouse gases taken into account for carbon footprint calculation
The carbon footprint includes several greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). However, not all greenhouse gases have the same impact on the climate. Their global warming potential (GWP) varies significantly.
Example : Methane (CH₄) has a GWP about 25 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100‑year period, while nitrous oxide (N₂O) is approximately 298 times more powerful.
To simplify and standardize calculations, emissions from different GHGs are converted into carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). This means the impact of each gas is expressed as if it were carbon dioxide. This approach makes global comparisons and overall understanding easier.
Why this matters: Without this standardization, it would be difficult to compare or prioritize emission reduction efforts. For example, cutting one ton of CH₄ has the same effect as reducing 25 tons of CO₂; a gap that’s crucial to recognize.
Practical example: The production of a smartphone generates a carbon footprint that includes emissions from mining rare metals, manufacturing components, transporting the device to the consumer, and finally managing its end‑of‑life waste.
These calculations help visualize the total impact at each stage.
2. Understanding an individual’s carbon footprint
When it comes to individuals, a carbon footprint is calculated by looking at four main categories:
- Home energy use: heating, electricity, and hot water.
- Transportation: car travel, air travel, and public transit.
- Food consumption: meat and dairy intake, as well as imported foods.
- Goods and services: clothing, electronics, leisure activities.
A striking statistic: According to Our World in Data, the average annual carbon footprint per person in the United States was around 14.3 metric tons in 2023—compared to a global average of 4.7 tons. This stark difference highlights just how much consumer behavior influences emissions levels.
3. Why should we reduce our carbon footprint?
Lowering your carbon footprint is essential if we want to limit global warming. According to projections from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), without a significant reduction in human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, the planet’s average surface temperature could rise by more than 3°C (5.4°F) by 2100. Such warming would trigger more frequent and severe climate disasters: droughts, rising sea levels, ocean acidification. With devastating consequences for health, ecosystems, and global development.
In response, large-scale commitments have been made- especially under the Paris Agreement, signed in 2016. Participating countries have pledged to:
- Keep global warming well below 2°C, ideally limiting it to 1.5°C by 2100.
- Phase out fossil fuels in energy production.
- Reach a per capita carbon footprint of 2 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) by 2050.
What Can We Actually Do?
Here are some practical ways to reduce your individual or organizational carbon footprint:
- Cut down on energy consumption: improve insulation, switch to energy-efficient appliances.
- Choose low-carbon transportation: public transit, carpooling, biking.
- Shift toward a plant-based diet: reduce meat and dairy intake.
- Support companies committed to sustainable practices.
Every small action matters. Taken together, they can significantly reduce environmental impact and help move us toward a more climate-resilient future.
4. Calculating your carbon footprint
There are simple online tools available to help individuals calculate their carbon footprint—like the one offered by The Nature Conservancy. These calculators help pinpoint exactly where your emissions come from and identify which actions will be the most effective in reducing them.
5. Carbon Footprint in a global context
At the organizational level, companies are now measuring their carbon footprint not only to comply with environmental regulations, but also to future-proof their business strategies and anticipate carbon taxes. One major example is the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), which enforces strict environmental reporting standards for large companies operating in Europe.
Even organizations that aren’t yet legally required to comply are increasingly choosing to voluntarily align with these goals, to stay ahead of regulatory changes and to publicly demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
To structure their approach, many companies are adopting internationally recognized frameworks, such as:
- The Bilan Carbone® method (developed in France),
- The ISO 14064 standard,
- Or the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol).
These tools offer clear guidelines to assess:
- Direct emissions (Scope 1): such as fuel combustion on site or in company vehicles,
- Indirect emissions from energy use (Scope 2): like electricity or heating,
- Other indirect emissions (Scope 3): including emissions from the value chain, like suppliers, product use, and end-of-life disposal.
Best Practices:
- Measure GHG emissions regularly: This helps identify high-impact areas and prioritize meaningful reduction efforts.
- Integrate reduction goals into your overall business strategy: For instance, by phasing out fossil fuels in favor of renewable alternatives or by upgrading infrastructure for better energy efficiency.
- Collaborate with stakeholders: Engage suppliers, customers, and employees in your sustainability roadmap to build collective momentum.
These actions demonstrate that it’s absolutely possible to combine strong economic performance with environmental responsibility—while also preparing for a future shaped by stricter regulatory expectations.
