Exploring 5 Facts about carbon footprint

Carbon footprint is a well-known concept, associated with their detrimental effects on our environment. They quantify the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being the primary contributor, resulting from direct or indirect human actions. In this article, we delve into five additional intriguing facts about carbon footprint.

1. The countries with the highest carbon footprint?

According to the Investopedia, the top 3 countries have the highest carbon footprint, respectively, are China, The Unites States and India (2020)  

China has a large population and is also the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gasses. Its significant reliance on coal for energy production and industrial activities contributes to its high carbon footprint, with coal alone accounting for approximately 55% of the total energy generated in the country in 2021. 

In addition to coal, China is also a major importer of oil. This reliance on oil fuels a substantial carbon footprint, especially in terms of transportation. The widespread use of motor vehicles in China contributes to significant CO2 emissions, further exacerbating the country's carbon output.

This statistic about carbon footprints demonstrates that more developed countries tend to emit higher levels of pollution. Without strict regulations on their economies, this situation can lead to detrimental consequences.

Key facts: 

• In 2020, China held the world's top emitter of carbon dioxide gas, releasing 10,668 million metric tons into the atmosphere.  
   
• Following closely behind, the United States was the second-largest emitter of CO2, with a total of 4,713 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. India was in the third position, which generated 2,442 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020.

2. The country with the lowest carbon footprint

An intriguing fact about carbon footprint is that: a small nation in the eastern Himalayas of South Asia achieved carbon negativity at an impressive pace called Bhutan.   

How did they do it? Well, Bhutan has a small population, and a whopping 70% of its land is covered in forests. The government has also invested heavily in hydroelectricity, which means they use the power of their rivers to generate electricity. This clean energy not only helps the people of Bhutan, including rural farmers who would have used wood for heat and cooking, but they also export it to other countries. Bhutan's dedication to preserving the environment and using renewable energy has made it a leader in the fight against carbon emissions.

Key facts: 

• Panama and Suriname follow Bhutan's lead as carbon-negative countries, ranking second and third, respectively.  
   
• The goal of being carbon-negative is pursued by countries worldwide, aiming to reduce emissions to a level where the amount of carbon removed or stored exceeds the amount of carbon emitted. In other words, the focus is on achieving a net reduction in carbon emissions to combat climate change effective

3. Why can cutting off milk and beef reduce carbon footprint?

Here's an interesting fact about carbon footprints that you may not have heard: Reducing milk and beef consumption can lead to a significant reduction in carbon footprints due to several reasons.

Livestock farming, especially for cattle, is a big source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes more to global warming than carbon dioxide. By reducing the demand for milk and beef, we can lower the number of cattle needed for farming.

Livestock farming also requires a lot of resources like land, water, and feed production. Clearing land for grazing or growing animal feed leads to deforestation and land degradation, which adds to carbon emissions. Additionally, the production and transportation of feed for livestock rely on fossil fuels, which produce even more carbon dioxide.  

Raising awareness about carbon footprints, especially in humans’ diary is crucial for encouraging collective action in combating climate change

Key fact:  

Total carbon footprint = data of emissions x emission factors 

4. 3 levels about carbon footprint

The Findings about carbon footprint, which categorized into 3 levels

• Individual Level: This refers to measuring the carbon emissions resulting from the activities of an individual person. It includes factors such as energy consumption in households, transportation choices, dietary habits, and personal consumption patterns.  
   
• Organizational Level: This involves calculating the carbon emissions generated by an organization, such as a business, government agency, or non-profit entity. It includes factors like energy usage, transportation, supply chains, waste management, and employee commuting  
   
• National Level: National scale about carbon footprint can also be measured too, which involves calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions of a country. National carbon footprints consider factors like energy production and consumption, transportation systems, industrial activities, agriculture, waste management, and land-use changes.

>>>Learn more: What is the company's carbon footprint? How to calculate

5. Carbon offsetting is the innovative solution to reduce the carbon footprint

Over the years, observations about carbon footprints have led to the emergence of a new concept: carbon offsets.

Carbon offsetting refers to the mechanism that allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to take responsibility for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of emissions from the atmosphere.

Carbon offsetting allows for the balancing of emissions by supporting initiatives that have a positive environmental impact. Carbon offsetting should be used as a complementary measure to address emissions that are challenging to eliminate completely.

>>>Learn more:Understanding the Carbon Offsets Meaning: A Comprehensive Guide   

In conclusion, learning about carbon footprints empowers us to make informed choices and take meaningful action for a greener future. By working together to reduce our carbon footprints, we can make a big difference in fighting climate change and protecting our planet for generations to come.

6. Carbon negative Bio-based materials: Contributing to reduce Carbon footprint

Bio-based plastics are a type of plastic made from renewable biomass sources like plants, agricultural waste, and algae. They are also known as bioplastics and are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential to capture carbon, known as carbon-negative, which reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.  

One notable example of bio-based plastics is coffee-based plastics produced by AirX.

To produce coffee-based plastics, the coffee grounds are collected, cleaned, and transformed into a bio-based resin through a process that uses less energy and produces less waste than traditional petroleum-based resins. This bio-based resin can be molded into various products, from coffee cup lids to phone cases. The resulting products are biodegradable, carbon negative and reduce the amount of plastic waste.

Contact us

AirX is the world’s first carbon-negative bio-material made from coffee grounds manufacturer.  

We specialize in producing bio-based composites using recycled carbohydrates derived from by-products such as coffee grounds, coconut husk, husk, and bamboo. Our goal is to promote sustainability through the use of eco-friendly materials.

We are always here to help and provide the best service possible. If you have any questions or would like to receive advice and feedback directly from our sales staff, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can reach us through:

• Whatsapp: +84 969 742 950
• Email: [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you!