This document is part of an Erasmus+ small-scale partnership project. It introduces the concept of carbon emissions, their role in climate change, and how they are measured. It includes a breakdown of global CO2 emissions by sector, definitions of individual, corporate, and product carbon footprints, a basic calculation example, and a list of activities that contribute 1 kg of CO2. The document…
This document is an educational resource created under the Erasmus+ Programme, project number 2024-2-RO01-KA210-SCH-000291736, titled Protecting the Climate is Saving Life. It is intended for students and educators learning about climate change and carbon emissions. The material is funded by the European Union and reflects only the views of the authors.
The document begins with an introduction explaining that solving climate change requires reducing global carbon emissions, which are driven by CO2 and other greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion. It notes that forests, soils, and natural systems can help slow the buildup if properly managed.
A pie chart shows global CO2 emissions by sector: Electricity and Heat Production at 25 percent, Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use at 24 percent, Industry at 21 percent, Transportation at 14 percent, Buildings at 6 percent, and Waste and Other at 10 percent.
The document defines a carbon footprint as the total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, measured in equivalent tons of CO2 over one year. It describes three types: individual footprint based on lifestyle, corporate footprint from business operations, and product footprint from production to disposal.
A basic calculation example shows that a car consuming 7.5 liters of diesel per 100 km over 300 km uses 22.5 liters of diesel, adding 60.75 kg of CO2. A table lists CO2 emitted per liter for petrol, gasoline, diesel, and heating oil. The document also lists activities that each contribute 1 kg of CO2, such as traveling 10 to 12 km by public transport, driving 6 km, taking a 2.2 km flight, operating a computer for 32 hours, or producing five plastic bags.
The final sections cover the main effects of carbon footprints, including resource depletion and climate change, with data showing a 31 percent increase in CO2 emissions from 1990 to 2005. It offers reduction strategies: sustainable food choices like local produce, organic options, plant-based diets, and minimal food waste; and actions like turning off electronics, walking or cycling, recycling, buying secondhand, and using reusable bags.