Introduction: Addressing Global Warming
The term, ‘carbon footprint’ refers to the number of greenhouse gasses, primarily carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities. These activities can range from driving a car to eating a steak dinner, and you might be surprised by how much of an impact your day-to-day decisions can have on both a professional and personal level, contributing to your average greenhouse gas emissions.
Understanding the carbon footprint of everyday things can help us all make more informed choices about our lifestyles and reduce the impact on the environment.
We might struggle with the term being more sustainable, but we believe just thinking about how we all act more responsibly is an easy concept to implement.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the carbon footprint of some common everyday things.
- Food
- Transport
- Clothes
- Electricity
1. Food: Understanding Your Diet's Carbon Footprint
Food is responsible for ¼ of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and the two foods with the highest carbon footprint are the two present in nearly all of our diets 1. meat and 2. dairy. Animal-based foods are responsible for a significant portion of these emissions. These two foods alone account for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation. Red meat and dairy products have a higher carbon footprint than plant-based foods, as they require more resources to produce.
Grazing animals require a lot of land which is often cleared through deforestation, which accounts for 15% of global GHG emissions. Additionally, the digestive systems of cows and sheep produce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, as it has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.
On average, beef has a carbon footprint of 36kg of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per kg, nearly four times the amount of chicken, which is around 6kg of CO2e per kg of meat. Similarly, cheese has a high carbon footprint of 13.4kg CO2e per kg of cheese, while poultry meat produces fewer emissions compared to beef. Milk has a carbon footprint of around 2.4kg of CO2e per litre. Being aware of your diet’s carbon footprint can help you make more sustainable food choices.
The difference between meat and plant production is drastic, just 1kg of wheat produces 2.5kg of GHG gasses meaning that if you have a plant-based diet your everyday carbon footprint will be lower than that of a meat eater. However, the carbon footprint of plant-based foods can still vary depending on factors such as the type of crop and how it was grown. For example, avocados have a higher carbon footprint due to the long-distance transportation required to bring them to the supermarket than locally grown vegetables. High meat consumption is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the total greenhouse gas emissions from various food choices is crucial for making environmentally friendly decisions.
Reducing the carbon footprint of food can be achieved through various means, such as:-
- reducing food waste
- eating more plant-based foods
- choosing locally sourced, seasonal, and sustainably produced foods.
- cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce your carbon footprint from food by two-thirds, according to an Oxford Study published in the Journal of Science.
So why not insist at the office that all company lunches for things like “lunch and learns” are 50:50 vegetarian and meat?
By making more conscious choices about what we eat, we can help reduce our impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
1 Understanding the Carbon Footprint of Food Production
The carbon footprint of food production is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the production of meat, especially beef, is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the large amounts of feed, water, and energy required for animal agriculture, as well as the methane emissions produced by livestock. In contrast, plant-based foods have a significantly lower carbon footprint, with some studies suggesting that they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%.
2 The Impact of Meat Consumption on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Meat consumption is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with beef being the largest contributor. A study by the University of Oxford found that beef production is responsible for around 99.48 kg CO2e/kg, while pork and poultry production have lower carbon footprints of 12.31 kg CO2e/kg and 9.87 kg CO2e/kg, respectively. Switching from beef to poultry can result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, reducing meat consumption altogether can have a substantial impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with some studies suggesting that a vegan diet can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 50%.
3 Carbon Footprint of Meat Calculator
A carbon footprint of meat calculators can help individuals measure the emissions generated by their meat consumption. The calculator takes into account the type and amount of meat consumed, as well as the production methods used. For example, a study found that producing 100g of protein from peas emits just 0.4kg of CO2 while producing 100g of protein from beef emits 49.9kg of CO2. Using a carbon footprint of meat calculator can help individuals make informed choices about their diet and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
4 Low-Carbon Footprint Foods
Low-carbon footprint foods are those that have a minimal impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Plant-based foods, such as peas, pulses, and nuts, have a significantly lower carbon footprint than animal-based foods. Additionally, some animal-based foods, such as poultry and fish, have a lower carbon footprint than others, such as beef and lamb. Choosing low-carbon footprint foods can help individuals reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
2. Transport
Transport is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, responsible for ⅕ of global CO2 emissions. The carbon footprint of transport refers to the amount of GHG emissions generated by various modes of transport such as cars, buses, trains and planes and the release of GHG that comes from burning the fossil fuels needed to power these vehicles.
We will start with cars since these are the most common forms of transport, used by most people regularly (maybe not in London with the traffic these days). The average passenger car emits 300g of C02 per mile which equates to on average 4.6 metric tons (1 metric ton= 1,000kg) of CO2 per year. Whilst the CO2 emissions from cars have been dropping in the last 20 years as electric cars and more public transportation has been introduced, passenger cars still account for 41% of all transportation emissions.
In comparison, those of you who take the tube or train every day, according to the European Environment Agency, produce only 14g of CO2 emissions per passenger mile, nearly 20 times less than in a car. Travelling by train regularly lessens your daily impact on the environment.
But if trains are not accessible to you consider ride-sharing, if 2 or 3 people share a car journey it becomes much more environmentally efficient.
Whilst very few of us are flying daily, the few times you may fly a year still have an astounding impact on the environment. A short-haul flight is on average over 2500km, meaning that a huge amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere with every flight. The average short-haul return flight produces 400kg CO2.
The average long haul return rockets up to 800kg of CO2. These are huge numbers therefore you must counter any flights you take and even any car rides you take daily.
A few ways to reduce your transport carbon footprint were mentioned earlier but to summarise here are 6 things you could do daily to reduce your carbon footprint, even the seemingly small changes make a difference;
- Using public transportation or carpooling instead of driving alone
- Switching to electric or hybrid vehicles
- Encouraging cycling and walking as alternative modes of transportation
- Reducing air travel and using video conferencing instead
- Improving fuel efficiency and reducing the weight of vehicles
- Investing in renewable energy and alternative fuels (such as biofuel)
A few ways to reduce your transport carbon footprint were mentioned earlier but to summarise here are 6 things you could do daily to reduce your carbon footprint, even the seemingly small changes make a difference;
- Using public transportation or carpooling instead of driving alone
- Switching to electric or hybrid vehicles
- Encouraging cycling and walking as alternative modes of transportation
- Reducing air travel and using video conferencing instead
- Improving fuel efficiency and reducing the weight of vehicles
- Investing in renewable energy and alternative fuels (such as biofuel)
3. Clothing: Reducing Your Fashion Carbon Footprint
Clothing is an everyday essential, but do we really need a new outfit for every occasion? The short answer is no. While the thrill of wearing something new every day might be tempting, it significantly impacts our environment. Fast fashion contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions, increasing pollution, waste, and worker exploitation. Clothing production is resource-intensive; for instance, a single cotton shirt requires 2,700 litres of water—enough for one person for 2.5 years. Similarly, producing enough cotton for a pair of jeans takes over 10,000 litres of water.
Cherishing your clothes and re-wearing them can help reduce their environmental impact by maximizing the resources used. To minimize your fashion carbon footprint, consider:
- Choosing clothes made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester.
- Supporting ethical and sustainable fashion brands that prioritize eco-friendly practices and transparent supply chains.
- Buying second-hand or vintage clothing to reduce the demand for new production and celebrate sustainability in the office.
- Washing clothes in cold water, line drying them, and avoiding dryers when possible.
- Implementing Pre-Loved policies for company events to ease the pressure of purchasing new outfits.
To reduce your daily carbon footprint in the fashion department consider;
- Choosing clothes made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester.
- Buying clothes from ethical and sustainable fashion brands that prioritise sustainable practices and transparent supply chains.
- Buying second-hand or vintage clothing, which reduces the demand for new clothing production and helps reduce waste and celebrating it in the office
- Washing clothes in cold water, line dry them, and avoid using a dryer whenever possible.
- Having Pre-Loved policies for company nights out to ease the pressure on teams to always buy new outfits
4. Power (Electricity & Gas): Lowering Your Energy Carbon Footprint
The carbon emissions from your home and office are surprisingly high. Electricity and energy consumption, primarily generated from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, have a significant carbon footprint compared to renewable sources such as solar or wind. Household activities like cooling, heating, and lighting contribute to emissions, with properties responsible for 21% of energy-related carbon emissions globally, according to the United Nations.
Research from IdealHome reveals that 4.7 million Brits leave lights on unnecessarily at night, resulting in 8.9 million kg of extra carbon dioxide emissions. Even streaming 30 minutes of your favorite Netflix show releases 18g of CO2. Home living is a major contributor to your daily carbon footprint, yet it's one of the easiest to reduce. Simple actions like turning off lights when not in use can significantly benefit both the environment and your finances. Consider:
- Using energy-efficient appliances and electronics.
- Opting for renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
- Choosing efficient heating and cooling systems.
The average UK carbon footprint is around 9 tonnes (1 tonne = 1000kg) and 2 tonnes in the office. By making small changes to your daily habits, you can effectively lower your carbon emissions.
