Carbon footprint: what is it, how is it measured and how to reduce it

‍But who is this carbon footprint?

You've probably already heard of the carbon footprint and you've realized that it's something that has a
What to do with air pollution, but are you aware that you also generate one?

Well yes, when you use the car to go to work, you order an item on the internet or you eat
A steak is increasing your carbon footprint, but let's see specifically what it is.

The carbon footprint or carbon import is a measure used to estimate gas emissions
greenhouse released by a product, service, individual, or event. In essence, therefore, the carbon footprint.
Indicates the amount of gases harmful to the environment, expressed in tons of CO2, produced by activities
human, and it is a way of tracing the impact that these have on the environment.

How do you calculate it?

The carbon footprint is calculated through the analysis of data from both direct emissions and
from the indirect ones.

Indirect emissions: come from sources under the control and direct responsibility of the individual/activity, such as
for example those produced by the combustion of fuel by means of transport or industrial plants.

Indirect emissions: are those that come from activities beyond control and direct responsibility
of the entity involved, such as those related to the production of electricity used by an organization or to the management of waste.

The emissions must include those deriving from all climate altering gases, which are then converted into CO2
through parameters established worldwide by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
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The Kyoto Protocol established that these gases include, in addition to CO2, methane,
hydrofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride and perfluorocarbons.
All greenhouse gases are referred to by the acronym GHG.

Assessment methods

In order to evaluate the carbon footprint of a product or service, it is necessary to take into account its
life cycle or Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering all the phases that the product/service has
crossed, from production to disposal.

For the calculation of the carbon footprint generated by companies, two are mainly used
international methodologies, the GHG protocol And the policies ISO 14064.The GHG protocol or
Greenhouse Gas Protocol developed by the World Resource Institute and the World
Business Council for Sustainable Development, provides standards and guidelines that allow
for companies to measure their emissions by distinguishing them into direct emissions (Purpose 1), emissions
indirect emissions associated with the purchase of energy (Scope 2) and indirect emissions from the value chain (Scope 3).

Among the policies ISO 14064 produced by the International Organization for Standardization
Let's find in particular the norm ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2 and ISO 14064-3 that provide rules
clear and consistent for quantification, monitoring, reporting and validation or
verification of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.

Why is it important to measure the Carbon Footprint?

The main objective in measuring the carbon footprint is to provide a picture
accurate on the impact that individuals and services have on the environment, so as to outline which
interventions can be implemented concretely to reduce emissions and practice sustainability.

How to reduce your carbon footprint

There are many actions that can be taken to reduce your footprint

carbonica, here are some of them:

• Use public transport or bicycle.

• Reduce meat consumption

• Use energy saving light bulbs

• Differentiate waste

• Buy a reusable water bottle

• Choose renewable energy sources

• Eat only seasonal fruits and vegetables

• Reduce the purchase of clothes

Gridshare's contribution

By choosing Gridshare you reduce your carbon footprint and save on your bill in one fell swoop!

By buying a Gridshare share, you will finance the construction of a solar farm that will provide you with
clean energy for 30 years and you'll save at least 25% on the cost of your bill.

Take part in the change: find out how it works.

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Written by Emilia Meleddu