What is a carbon footprint?

        Carbon Footprint is an indicator used to measure the amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, product or country within a certain period of time.

        In June 2024, 15 departments including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, and the People's Bank of China jointly issued the "Implementation Plan for Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System". The "Plan" points out that by 2027, the carbon footprint management system will be initially established; by 2030, the carbon footprint management system will be more complete and the application scenarios will be more abundant.

        Carbon footprint calculation method

        Carbon footprint calculation covers the emissions of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from production, transportation, final use to waste disposal. This comprehensive assessment method enables us to more accurately understand and evaluate the impact of human activities on the environment.

        The first method uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Life cycle analysis is a bottom-up calculation method, which is a calculation method for products and their "from start to finish" process, and the calculation process is relatively detailed and accurate.

        The second method is to calculate the energy fossil fuel emissions used (IPCC). This method is more general. The IPCC carbon emission method is a greenhouse gas inventory guide compiled by the United Nations Climate Change Committee, which fully considers greenhouse gas emissions in the calculation process.

        The third method is the input-output method (IO). The input-output method is a top-down calculation method that uses input and output for calculation, and the calculation results are not accurate.

        The fourth is the Kaya carbon emissions identity. The Kaya carbon emissions identity uses a simple mathematical formula to link factors such as economy, policy and population to the carbon dioxide produced by human activities.

        There is more than one way to provide the public, depending on how people use it. Calculating from top to bottom on the world map and the map provided by the US State Department, you can calculate the per capita carbon footprint, as well as the total emissions of each country (or other high-level work groups, organizations, etc.), and separate individual residents' emissions and groups.

        Using your own car's carbon footprint as an example: The first method estimates all carbon emissions, starting with the mining of the car's raw materials (including all the metals, plastics, glass and other materials used to make the car) and the carbon dioxide equivalents emitted throughout the car's life cycle, including the production, driving and disposal of the car. The second method only calculates the carbon emissions from the fossil fuels used to build, drive and dispose of the car.

        Meaning of Carbon Footprint

        Carbon Footprint is also commonly referred to as "carbon consumption". It refers to a newly developed indicator used to measure the environmental impact of carbon dioxide emissions generated by daily energy consumption by organizations or individuals.

        Low-carbon economy refers to an economic model based on low energy consumption, low pollution and low emissions. Its essence is to achieve green development of enterprises through efficient energy utilization and clean energy development.

        Many well-known companies around the world have taken "low-carbon economy" and "carbon footprint" as a measure of corporate social responsibility (CRS) and a new leap forward for enterprises. The introduction of the carbon footprint concept aims to remind people to be aware of the urgency of addressing climate change. By calculating and understanding the carbon footprint of individuals or organizations, people can identify and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus combat global warming.