A carbon footprint is “the total set of GHG emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organisation, event or product” (Carbon Trust 2008). For example, the carbon footprint of flying from London to New York is 0.68 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (e), and the carbon footprint of the UK in 2006 was 653 million tonnes of CO₂e.

Carbon footprints are useful for a number of purposes:

1. For publicly reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
2. For setting a target for reducing emissions (in order to set a reductions target it is necessary to know what current emissions are).
3. To identify which activities contribute the most to a footprint (in order to identify the important areas for reduction efforts).
4. In order to measure changes in emissions over time, and to monitor the effectiveness of reduction activities.
5. To offset emissions (in order to offset emissions it is necessary to know how many reductions credits to purchase).

There are different types of carbon footprint, e.g. for organisations, individuals, products, services, and events. Different types of carbon footprint have different methods and boundaries.

To learn more about carbon footprints and carbon footprinting, download our free summary paper by using the link below.