What is the carbon footprint and how is it calculated?
Thecarbon footprint summarizes all greenhouse gas emissions of a specific unit, e.g., a person, an institution, a product, or an activity.
Emissions are not only released when we actually fly in an airplane or buy a new cell phone. Greenhouse gases are also produced during the construction of infrastructure, the extraction and processing of raw materials, and later during the transport and disposal of production waste. All emissions from this so-called life cycle of a product or activity are included in thecarbon footprint.
Thecarbon footprint is calculated using so-calledCO2 factors. These factorstake into account not onlyCO2 emissions, but also emissions of other climate-impacting gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. These emissions are then converted intoCO2 equivalents, which is why communication focuses onCO2, even though other greenhouse gases are also included. Ideally, there is aCO2 factor for each product or activity that has been scientifically determined and indicates how many kilogramsof CO2 equivalents are emitted through the use of the product or the performance of the activity.
For example: According to a source from the Federal Environment Agency, a medium-sized car emits 0.214 kgof CO2 when traveling one kilometer. Based on this, yourCO2 footprint is calculated using your information on the number of vehicles you own and your activities with them (kilometers driven to work or school, on trips, or to business appointments).
The calculation of yourcarbon footprint refers to one year. Your activities will continue to cause emissions, which can vary (sometimes significantly) from year to year. The forest with which you offset your footprint last year will, of course, remain protected. However, as you continue to generate emissions, these should be offset by protecting further forest areas in order to prevent furtherCO2 emissions through deforestation and the loss of habitats and biodiversity. By using our calculator annually, you can also evaluate the progress you have already made in reducingCO2 emissions. The goal is to reduce yourcarbon footprint from year to year and to optimize the processes in your company, school, or family so that as few emissions as possible are generated.