Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Small Changes Can Add Up to a Big Impact

Reducing one’s carbon footprint – the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are generated by one’s actions – can take many forms. Between how we design our homes and buildings, the equipment we use, and how we get from A to B, our individual actions can help power the clean energy transition, combat climate change, and inspire others to act.

How to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Whether at the individual, household, or organizational level, a carbon footprint is calculated as the sum of all the greenhouse gas emissions from daily activities and consumption. Understanding where your emissions come from is an important first step to identify opportunities for reducing your environmental impact.

While multiple greenhouse gases, including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrous oxide (N2O) contribute to climate change, one’s carbon footprint is generally measured in units of CO₂. The average person in the U.S. has a carbon footprint equivalent to 16 tons of CO₂, compared to 4 tons for the global average. To achieve the Paris Agreement goal of holding the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C, the average carbon footprint needs to dip below 2 tons by 2050.

There are a variety of tools and software for calculating and measuring emissions. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency’s can provide an estimate of your household carbon footprint, including a breakdown by source and comparison to the U.S. average. Alternatively, the  Nature Conservancy's carbon footprint calculator includes additional factors, such as air travel, diet, and spending habits to estimate emissions and provide tailored suggestions for a more climate-friendly lifestyle.

For tips on how to lower your Carbon Footprint and more, click here.