Introduction
It’s no secret that global warming is becoming an increasingly critical issue. According to NASA, the planet has warmed at an unprecedented rate over the past 10,000 years. The Met Office predicts that by 2070:
- Winters will be between 1 and 4.5 degrees warmer.
- Winters will be up to 30% wetter.
- Summers will be between 1 and 6 degrees warmer.
- Summers will be up to 60% drier.
- Hot summer days will be between 4 and 7 degrees warmer.
- There will be an increased risk of flooding due to more rainfall.
This rapid rate of global warming is primarily driven by human activities, such as:
Pollution – Vehicle exhausts, industrial emissions and unethical waste disposal are all huge drivers in increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Burning fossil fuels – Combustion of coal, oil and natural gas releases a significant volume of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Deforestation – By cutting down trees for agricultural practices, the planet effectively reduces its capability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Transport – This factor is one of the biggest contributors to global warming due to the vast amount of exhaust emissions being produced.
Consumption of goods – Products which have travelled a large distance through transportation and manufacturing increase greenhouse gas emissions.
Large-scale events – Music festivals and sporting events increase emissions through their requirements for waste management, infrastructure and transportation.
“Since systematic scientific assessments began in the 1970s, the influence of human activity on the warming of the climate system has evolved from theory to established fact.”
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
One way we can keep track of our impact on the environment is by measuring our carbon footprint. This measurement allows companies and individuals to track their emissions and set reduction goals to limit their carbon footprints. Understanding and measuring your carbon footprint is one of the most useful and effective ways to access, manage, and reduce your contribution to climate change.
By identifying the most significant factors which are generating emissions, both companies and individuals can take specific action to reduce their carbon footprint, environmental emissions, and work towards sustainability goals.
What Is A Carbon Footprint?
To put it simply, a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted directly or indirectly by an entity, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2e). It takes into account direct emissions, including fossil fuel combustion, manufacturing, heating, transportation and electricity.
A carbon footprint can help companies assess the impact which certain activities have on the environment, and how they contribute to climate change and global warming.
“The Earth’s climate is changing in response to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and particulate matter in the atmosphere, largely as the result of human activities.”
American Chemical Society
Why Is Your Carbon Footprint Important?
Measuring your carbon footprint encourages personal responsibility alongside identifying the areas where you can make small environmental changes in your daily life.
From a business perspective, it also encourages companies to recognise the impact they have on the environment and identify the relevant changes which they can make. Measuring your carbon footprint is a productive method for people and businesses to take accountability for their contribution to climate change.
How Do I Measure My Carbon Footprint?
Your carbon footprint is measured in tCO2e. The ‘t’ stands for tonnes of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. For a bit of context, one tonne of CO2 would fill an Olympic size swimming pool. The ‘e’ stands for equivalent to a certain amount of CO2. The ‘e’ wraps up all other pollutants in the atmosphere and helps us compare other pollutants to the amount of CO2 emitted.
Other pollutants in the atmosphere:
- Methane
- Nitrogen Oxides
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Fluorinated gases
Average emissions:
A typical family in the UK generally emits about 10 tonnes of co2 per year.
On the other hand, larger corporate companies generate significantly more.
In 2020, Walmart reportedly emitted 21 and a half million tonnes of co2 emissions. Additionally, the State Grid Corporation of China emitted 1878 million tonnes of co2. Huge numbers!
Track Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Benefits of Calculating Your Carbon Footprint
- Easier Goal Setting – Once you are aware of your carbon footprint, you can make the changes to take action and set specific goals in the areas you know are causing the main impacts.
- Market Compliance – Investors are more attracted to businesses who are aware of their environmental responsibility for carbon footprints.
- Competitive Advantage for Businesses – Investors are more likely to be attracted to businesses which are aware of their environmental responsibility for carbon footprints.
- Business Retention – Businesses are more appealing if they show a commitment to sustainability in today’s world. According to KPMG research, of around 6,000 people surveyed in the UK workforce, 46% prioritise companies with established ESG commitments. Additionally, their research shows that 20% have turned down jobs due to conflicting values based on a company’s ESG stance.
- Cost Savings – A carbon footprint is a cost effective exercise, and can also drive financial gains. Once identifying the areas for improvement, you can make changes which could reduce financial costs.
- Stronger Brand Reputation – With consumers and investors becoming more aware of global warming and its vital impacts, disclosing your carbon footprint can increase brand loyalty and recognition.
Environmental Steps you Can Take
There are a large number of environmentally-friendly changes you can make to help reduce your personal carbon footprint. Here are a few:
- Using more public transport.
- Eating less meat.
- Using renewable energy sources, for example, solar panels.
- Limiting plane travel.
- Driving less.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle – with a strong focus on reducing and reusing BEFORE recycling.
Conclusion
To summarise, understanding and calculating your carbon footprint majorly assists in identifying your company’s areas of improvement. By identifying these issues, you can track your emissions and set specific targets in order for your company to become more sustainable.
Enistic can help you reach these targets and make a positive difference to people and the planet. By setting targets such as reducing your company carbon footprint, your company can demonstrate its unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable future for generations to come.
Why Choose Us:
- Enistic can help make your sustainability easier with our expert team of consultants.
- Gain confidence from your environmental compliance with legal reporting standards.
- Get better value for money through letting Enistic handle the details and data.
If you are interested, please don’t hesitate to book a call with us today.
Thank you for reading!