The carbon footprint represents the quantity of greenhouse gases generated by human activities. For the year 2023, it amounts to an average of 9.4 tonnes per inhabitant. Even if this remains intangible, it is the equivalent of a trip around the world by car or about fifty laptops. In our daily lives, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases is our travel. Especially by plane and car. This represents a third of our carbon footprint. Then housing and food account for 1/5th. Then, we can add our equipment, our leisure activities, and our purchases.
It is possible to measure your carbon footprint using a simulator put online by Ademe, the ecological transition agency. It involves answering everyday questions about your mode of transport, food, heating method used, your travels, etc. At the end of the day, you get an estimate of your carbon footprint.
Some tips for reducing your carbon footprint
To take action and reduce your carbon footprint, the first lever we can use is our travel. According to Marc Cottignies, an engineer in the Transport and Mobility department of Ademe, in terms of greenhouse gases, the order of magnitude is the same, between 1 km by car and 1 km by plane. But we travel many more kilometers when we take the plane! If possible, you can also limit your car journeys or consider switching to electric: this generates two to three times fewer emissions than a thermal model.
On the food side, the ideal would be to limit meat and favor local products, which travel little. You should know that half of our carbon footprint is associated with imports. And then there are the little habits to adopt: take care of your objects to make them last, turn off your devices instead of leaving them on standby, limit impulsive purchases.
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