The Carbon Footprint and Its Reduction

Section 1 of 6What is a carbon footprint?

Definition

• Definition The carbon footprint is the total mass of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases given out over the full life of a product, service or event.

Hard to measure exactly

• Hard to measure exactly Many stages contribute, from raw materials to disposal, so figures are estimates.
• Even so, estimating a footprint raises awareness and pushes people and governments to seek lower-carbon options.

Link to life cycle assessment

• Link to life cycle assessment A life cycle assessment (LCA) looks at the environmental impact of every stage: extracting raw materials, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal.

Section 2 of 6Ways to cut emissions

Reducing the carbon footprint

Cleaner energy

• Cleaner energy Use solar, wind and other renewable supplies instead of burning fossil fuels.
• Governments may give financial incentives to encourage firms to switch.

Transport choices

• Transport choices Avoid unnecessary journeys, use public transport and switch to electric vehicles.

Food choices

• Food choices Eat less meat to reduce methane from farming and buy local food to cut food miles, the distance food travels from producer to consumer.

Waste

• Waste Reuse and recycle materials so that less goes to landfill, where rotting waste releases methane.

Carbon offsetting

• Carbon offsetting Pay for projects such as tree planting to balance emissions that cannot be avoided, e.g. from flying.

Section 3 of 6Carbon capture and storage

1

Carbon dioxide is trapped from the waste gases of power stations and other industries before it reaches the atmosphere.

2

The captured gas is compressed and transported to a storage site.

3

It is pumped deep underground into porous rock, often where oil and gas were extracted before.

4

Carbon is again locked in the Earth's crust, helping to restore the balance of the carbon cycle.

Section 4 of 6Why progress is slow

Obstacle	Explanation
Immature technology	Alternatives to fossil fuels and capture schemes are still being developed and can be costly.
Political caution	Governments worry that strict action will harm their economies and cost votes.
Public resistance	People find it hard to change habits, especially when greener options cost more or are less convenient.
Lack of investment	Companies need funding to modernise factories, and support schemes are limited.

Section 5 of 6Key terms

Term	Meaning
Carbon footprint	The total greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.
Food miles	The distance food is transported from where it is produced to where it is eaten.
Carbon offsetting	Compensating for emissions by paying for projects that remove or avoid carbon dioxide, such as planting forests.
Carbon capture	Technologies that trap carbon dioxide from industry and store it underground.
Renewable energy	Energy from sources that are replaced naturally, e.g. wind and solar.

Section 6 of 6Exam technique

1

Thinking a carbon footprint only counts carbon dioxide. Methane and other greenhouse gases are included too.

2

Writing that renewable energy produces 'no carbon' at all. Building and installing the equipment has a footprint, though far lower than burning fuel.

3

Saying carbon capture destroys carbon dioxide. It is stored, not broken down.

4

Giving only advantages when asked to evaluate. State the obstacles as well, such as cost and slow government action.