“The carbon footprint is a measure of the exclusive total amount of carbon dioxide emissions that is directly and indirectly caused by an activity or is accumulated over the life stages of a product” (Wiedman and Minx, 2008)
This term is commonly used in civil society organizations and in the press. It has also become prevalent in the business world and many companies have adopted internal policies to measure and reduce it. For example, it is common to find carbon neutral products or services. In other words, many companies have programs on carbon neutrality and they implement actions to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. The companies usually employ this type of redress by investing in reforestation projects or environmental education, for example.
The term is often confused with ecological footprint or with environmental footprint. However, it is important to distinguish these indicators since each one measures a different environmental impact.
References:
Informe anual de la Junta Ejecutiva del mecanismo para un desarrollo limpio a la Conferencia de las Partes en calidad de reunión de las Partes en el Protocolo de Kyoto (2018), Convención Marco sobre el Cambio Climático, Katowice.
Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica, Guía para el cálculo de la huella de carbono y para la elaboración de un plan de mejora de una organización, España (2019).
Comunicación de la Comisión al Parlamento Europeo, al Consejo, al Comité Económico y Social Europeo y al Comité de las Regiones relativa a la revisión intermedia del Sexto Programa de Acción Comunitario en Materia de Medio {SEC(2007) 546} {SEC(2007) 547}/* COM/2007/0225 final */
Claves para entender la huella de carbono
Encuesta y grupos focales consultados para la elaboración de este reflexionario
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