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Carbon footprint

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A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" ^[1]. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.

The concept and name of the carbon footprint originates from the ecological footprint discussion.^[2] The carbon footprint is a subset of theecological footprint and of the more comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

An individual, nation, or organization's carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it, e.g. by technological developments, better process and product management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), Carbon capture, consumption strategies, and others.

The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting.

Contents [hide] 1 Carbon Footprints of Products 2 Carbon Footprints of Electricity 3 Carbon Footprints of Heat 4 Kyoto Protocol, carbon offsetting, and certificates 4.1 The mandatory market 4.2 The voluntary market 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links