Understanding the carbon footprint

What is the carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint is a measure of greenhouse gas emissions. There are different gases, but the best known is CO₂. The carbon footprint of a product takes into account the emissions produced from production to delivery. It is then possible to calculate the carbon footprint of a person or a company, for example based on the mode of operation and consumption. Do not confuse carbon footprint and ecological footprint; the ecological footprint measures the amount of bioproductive land area needed to produce what we consume and to absorb the waste we produce.

What are the calculation factors?

Several parameters are taken into account in the calculation of the carbon footprint. The main parameter is the energy consumption related to the dwelling, such as the date of construction, heating, equipment and their electricity consumption. Energy renovation also makes it possible to use less energy and therefore reduce the carbon impact.

The other important parameters correspond to means of transport, frequency of use, food and general consumption of goods. Air, maritime, rail or road transport emit CO emissions₂ unlike walking, cycling, or using electric means of transport such as scooters, bicycles or cars. It is not only the personal journey to take into account but also the journey necessary to transport products and consumer goods. A local product has a much lower carbon footprint than an imported product. For example, a local potato which requires little water has a very low carbon footprint compared to an avocado from South America which requires a lot of water and is transported to us by plane.

The impact of transport on the carbon footprint

Vehicle manufacturing and maintenance

As with goods, we must go back to the vehicle manufacturing process. The commissioning of a train does not require the same constraints as the production of a electric scooter. In general, the manufacture of vehicles of a size less than or equal to that of a car generates a lower production of carbon emissions. The manufacturing process involves the import and export of parts, not everything is produced within the same factory. For example, an entirely European car is more environmentally friendly than a car whose parts come from all over the world. The manufacture of bicycles and street furniture for bicycles represents the best carbon alternative, especially since the materials used can come from a recycled source.

CO emissions₂

In France, the main journeys are made by car. Indeed, road traffic accounts for almost 80% of transport-related carbon emissions. By way of comparison, air traffic represents 15% of emissions. A city car emits between 100 and 120 g of carbon per kilometer while an airplane emits between 250 and 300 g per kilometer.

Public transport makes it possible to divide the carbon footprint of the journey by the number of people present. In town, the bus is the least polluting form of transport, after walking and mechanical cycling, with an average of 68 g per km. The train is the least polluting motorized means with less than 14 g per km. This is the preferred route for getting around the country. The plane, with an emission of 285 per km, is the best option for long journeys. However, keep in mind that the plane remains polluting due to the combustion of kerosene.

Reduce your carbon footprint with the bike

The bicycle is in many respects the best means of individual transport. The manufacture of a mechanical bicycle requires few resources unlike a motorized vehicle, and it does not of course reject any additional carbon emissions. The electric variants are very low-polluting and represent a real alternative to the traditional bicycle. At home to recharge your vehicle but also on a daily basis, green electricity reduces your carbon footprint. Many green suppliers offer these green electricity offers such as Planète Oui or Enercoop. The guarantees of origin used by these suppliers prove that the electricity is produced from a renewable source, such as solar, wind or hydraulic.

In France, about 4 car journeys out of 10 are less than 3 km, the bike represents an opportunity to replace part of one's daily journeys. Local authorities and companies are thus setting up urban furniture for bicycles and/or charging stations for electric bike to promote this mode of travel in urban areas.