- A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organization, event or product. Carbon footprint quantification and reduction are key to preventing climate change through measures like enhancing energy efficiency and using green energy.
- Calculating one's carbon footprint involves estimating emissions from sources like fuel/electricity use, transportation, food consumption, and goods purchasing. The results can be used for environmental reporting, cost savings planning, and developing climate policies.
- Common methods to calculate carbon footprints include the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Emissions scopes include direct sources like fuel combustion, indirect sources like purchased electricity, and optional sources like employee commuting.
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A Carbon Footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and
indirectly by a person, organization, event or product.
So every individual has a different value of carbon footprint.
Carbon Footprint quantification analysis and reduction are key to preventing this
change by, for example, enhancing energy efficiency, mitigating carbon emissions by
means of green energy and then compensating for remaining GHG emissions by
investing in carbon offsets, with a final goal of being carbon neutral.
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To estimate the carbon di-oxide emission in the atmosphere.
Carbon footprint is a focal indicator of environmental responsibility. It helps to
identify climate impacts and lower them cost-effectively and sensibly.
The calculation results can be used in strategic and operative planning, constructing
a climate policy, environmental reporting and planning of cost savings. Carbon
footprint promotes positive, environmentally conscious company image and can
boost the marketing of an organization and its products.
Calculating carbon footprint is an effective way of managing energy and
environmental issues.
For this purpose it likely to be adequate to understand and quantify the key emission
sources through a basic process, typically including fuel, electricity and transport.
4. Different methods have been developed to calculator carbon footprint and many types
of online calculator are also available for the same. But Greenhouse Gas Protocol
produced by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for
sustainable development is one of the best method to calculate carbon footprint.
Scope of footprint•
Emission through fuel and natural gas.
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Direct emissions : from onsite combustion and mobile sources.
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Indirect emissions: from purchased electricity and steam.
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Optional emissions: Examples include product transport, employee business travel
and employee commuting.
5. Sr. no.
Name of
appliance
No of appliance
Efficiency of
appliance(J/s)
Working hrs/day Total electricity
consumed(
MJ/day)
1
Tube light
342
40
12
590.98
2
Ceiling fan
57
50
18
184.68
3
Chock
342
15
12
221.62
4
Water cooler
3
800
24
207.36
5
Television
1
400
10
14.4
5
Cooler
2
1200
15
129.6
6
fridge
2
800
24
138.24
7
Cold store
1
1500
24
129.6
8
Chapatti making
machine
1
1000
4
14.4
10. From hostel sharing = 4.71 MJ/day
From my room consumption = 7.30 MJ/day
From Lecture/lab sharing = 0.53 MJ/day
Total consumption = 12.54 MJ/day
20% energy being lost in transmission
60% carbon is present in coal
Energy required to produce at thermal power plant = 1.2(12.54) = 15.048 MJ/day
11. If 1kg coal produces electricity = 20 *10**6 J
Efficiency of the power plant = 35%
CO2 emission = 15.048(.6)(44/12)(1/.35)(1/20*10**6)(10**6)
= 4.72 kg/day
12. I use 30km CNG auto rickshaw drive/ month on an average.
In months of Dec, May, June, July ; I use bike 8km/day on an average
Fuel used = (12*75/30) = 30 lit
SG(specific gravity) of methane = 0.554
Methane used = 16.62 kg
Carbon content in CH4 = (12/16)*16.12
CO2 emitted = (12/16)*12.465*(44/12) = 34.278 kg/year
Total ride on bike = 720 km
Petrol consumed = 720/60 = 12 liters
Specific Gravity of petrol = 0.82
Petrol consumed in kg = 9.84 kg
CO2 emitted = (44/12)(9.84) = 36.08 kg/year
Total CO2 emission = 0.192kg/day
13. LPG consumed per month = 14.2 kg
Family members = 4
LPG consumed per person per day = .0119kg
CO2 emission = LPG*(48/58)*(44/12)
= 0.361kg/day
14. Items
Quantity per week
C02 emission
Flour
1.0 kg
351
Rice
0.5 kg
1424.5
Oil
0.3 kg
126.9
Vegetable
(carrot, potato,
Onion, peas)
1.0 kg
171
Sweets
0.2 kg
596
Milk
2.0 kg
1564.7
Pulses
0.3 kg
291
Cereals
0.2 kg
345
Salt
.050 kg
0
Ice cream
0.10 kg
342
Soft drink
2.0 lt
450
Fruit (Apple)
0.5 kg
200
15. Items
Quantity per week
C02 emission (in gm)
Jam
0.04 kg
34
Honey
0.01 kg
23
Butter
0.15 kg
400
Sugar
0.5 kg
422.5
Juice
0.4 kg (Mosami)
176
Biscuits
0.2 kg
160
Bread
0.2 kg
42
Egg
5 pieces
3440
Spice
0.15 kg
126.43
16. CO2 emission due to food = 1.47 kg/day
CO2 emission due to LPG = 0.361 kg/day
CO2 emission due to transportation = 0.192 kg/day
CO2 emission due to Electricity = 4.72 kg/day
My total CO2 emission = 6.743 kg/day
17. Clothes,
soaps, toothpaste, hair-oil, shampoo, powder
Cement, aggregates, silica, sand, fly-ash reinforcement used
for constructing building
Objects made by wood
Paints and other decorative items
Footwear
Papers