What types of carbon footprints are there?
Depending on the activity we're analyzing, distinct types of carbon footprint can be identified, considering the activity's typical GHG emissions per year.
What is a carbon footprint and why is it important?
All about the carbon footprint
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a carbon footprint is a change in climate attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the world's atmosphere. Fortunately, each and every one of us can work together in the fight against climate change if we promote reducing our carbon footprint – a concept that has gained significant importance in recent decades, and we tell you all about it here.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is an environmental indicator that represents the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs), expressed as CO2 equivalents, that are emitted directly or indirectly as a result of a specific activity.
Even though the focus is usually on carbon dioxide, there are other gases that contribute to this greenhouse effect such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
In order to calculate the contribution of each gas, there is a parameter called the Global Warming Potential (GWP) that compares the heating power of a certain mass of this greenhouse gas with the heating power of the same amount of CO2, so that the effect of these different gases can be calculated with the same unit of measurement, called CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Therefore, the following formula is used to calculate greenhouse emissions:
GEI (t CO2e) = GEI (t gas)*GWP gas
The first step for calculating a carbon footprint is to take an inventory of gas emissions or an analysis of the life cycle depending on the type of footprint. Using this information as a base, it's possible to implement an emissions reduction strategy based on energy efficiency, cutting back on raw materials, circular economy, process improvements, etc.
What types of carbon footprints are there?
Depending on the activity we're analyzing, distinct types of carbon footprint can be identified, considering the activity's typical GHG emissions per year.
Individual carbon footprint
It's based on the consumption habits of the person and takes into account GHG emissions associated with their means of transportation, electricity use for heating and cooling at home, eating habits, consumption of goods, recycling habits, etc.
Product footprint
This includes the GHG emissions from the stages of raw material extraction, production process, required energy generation, product transformation for other companies, the customer's usage, and its treatment as waste as well as the transportation between stages.
Corporate footprint
It includes the GHG emissions inventory related to a company or organization's operations. It's the main basis for identifying energy efficiency measures within the organization as well as joint action measures with other companies in the sector.
The carbon footprint calculation is based on international standards like the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064. Emissions are calculated by multiplying the consumption data by its emission factor, depending on the fuel used, type of energy, and the intended activity. Therefore, the following formula sums up the calculation:
Carbon footprint = Activity data x Emission factor
Throughout the life cycle of any product or service that we use as individuals or organizations, we can differentiate distinct stages that require energy and generate GHG emissions: from the extraction of the raw materials, the transportation to industry where they are transformed into products, the distribution to vendors, the use by consumers, and finally the waste treatment where they may be transformed again.
In each stage, there is an organization or person capable of measuring, controlling, and managing the necessary energy and the emissions of a process (the truck driver, managers of the manufacturing process, the user of the product, etc.). These would be considered the direct emissions generated in this stage by this person or organization. The rest of the stages of the process are considered indirect emissions, since they are still associated with the activity or product, even though the person or business does not have direct control over the process of the stage.
With this in mind, emissions are classified into three scopes:
Consume local seasonal products
By consuming proximity or zero-mile products, we help reduce the CO2 emissions derived from the refrigeration or transportation of food products. What's more, we're contributing to boosting the local economy. It's all benefits!
Promoting energy efficiency in all areas
Optimizing production processes and operational excellence not only involves a better use of energy and a resulting reduction in emissions, it also leads to a better maintenance of equipment, fewer breakdowns, and improved safety.
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In addition to the carbon footprint, there are other environmental indicators such as the water footprint or the ecological footprint. Lean all about them.
At Repsol, we view decarbonization as an opportunity for developing more profitable businesses in order to continue growing and become the multi-energy company that society needs in this decade to sustainably meet all its energy needs. To achieve this, we've set new, more demanding business plans for our strategy, activity, and investments that are aligned with meeting the climate change objectives of the Paris Agreement to prevent an average global temperature increase of more than 2ºC.
We calculate and report the carbon footprint of our organization, where 99% of our direct and indirect emissions are verified according to the EU ETS or ISO 14064; and we were favorably assessed by the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP, a world database used by investors) with an A- rating for the second consecutive year, placing in the Leadership tier and surpassing the average in the O&G sector.
We have believed since 1992 that energy efficiency projects are key in reducing our carbon footprint in the stages where we manage operations and have set demanding reduction goals in our strategic plans. Our current plan includes investing more than 400 million euros until 2025 to reduce 800,000 tonnes of CO2 and to lay the foundation for transforming our industrial centers into net zero emissions facilities.
In addition, we calculate the carbon footprint of our products. We analyze the impact throughout the different stages of the product's life cycle following the ISO 14067 methodology, a strict international standard that validates the rigor of our work.
In terms of our customers' carbon footprint reduction, we aim to produce 1.3 million tonnes of sustainable biofuels in 2025 and more than 2 million in 2030, committing to a business of efficient products centered on circular economy and the production of advanced biofuels.
Do you want to find out your carbon footprint in just three steps?
Find out your daily CO2 emissions through the Repsol Foundation.