All human beings emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when performing daily activities.
Knowing the huella de carbono individual, de un producto o una empresa nos ayuda a actuar para hacerle frente al Cambio Climático.
Measure, reduce and offset your Carbon footprint measurement and offsetting personal
With a simple calculator designed by us, you can measure your footprint in 5 minutes, access to detailed information or create a more complete form. You can also receive advice on how to reduce your footprint and how to offset your emissions by supporting projects.
Measure, reduce and offset your Carbon footprint measurement and offsetting empresarial
Con especialistas podemos medir la huella de carbono de tu empresa, producto, evento u oficinas y armar un plan de acción para que puedas reducir las emisiones e incluso compensarlas.
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Average footprint, in tons of
CO2 equivalent per capita per year
The carbon footprint measures the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by a person (by lifestyle), a product, an institution, etc. It is usually measured in tons of CO2 equivalent per year.
It involves these steps:
1) Calculate the carbon footprint (of an individual, a product, a service, a company, etc.)
2) Reduce the carbon footprint by developing an adequate strategy.
3) Compensate the carbon footprint, by supporting projects or buying credits.
The carbon footprint of a company (offices, employee/product transportation, electricity consumption, etc.) can be measured for its products or services. First, the company should define a purpose, since it will vary based on whether the company aims at developing a new product or making structural modifications in order to reduce its footprint.
We have measured and compensated the footprint of several institutions. In 2019, at Sustentabilidad Sin Fronteras (SSF) we measured the carbon footprint of CEAMSE's 2018 operations by analyzing the life cycle of the urban waste management system in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), Argentina.
All human beings leave a footprint on the planet. We can measure the greenhouse gas emissions associated with turning on lights, using transportation, eating, dressing and buying things. The carbon footprint is closely related to lifestyle and purchasing power. In general, the higher the income of an individual, the higher their consumption and associated emission. This is why the per capita (i.e., per inhabitant) carbon footprint of a country can help us to understand the associated lifestyle and level of consumption.
At Sustentabilidad Sin Fronteras, we have developed a calculator especially adapted for Argentines to measure and offset their footprint, together with tips on how to achieve it. If you are not Argentine, you can still use the calculator, but the results may vary.
The carbon footprint is not the same for every person. According to OXFAM 2020 report, the individuals that make up the richest 10 % of the world were responsible for 52 % (more than half!) of GHG emissions between 1990 and 2015. On the other hand, the poorest 50 % of humanity was responsible for only 7 % of GHG emissions.
This leads us to reflect and ask ourselves: To which group do we belong?
Compensating involves one of these two actions:
1. Reducing emissions: By replacing fossil fuel-based power plants with renewable energy-based power plants, for example.
2. Storaging carbon: By planting trees, for example. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the bark.
If you would like to calculate the compensation at the individual level, check our calculator. Once you know your footprint, click on "Compensate by supporting reforestation projects of native forests in our country". If you would like to calculate the compensation at the corporate level or at a larger scale, please contact us so we can analyze which is your best alternative.
Consejos y tips para reducir la individual carbon footprint
Ranking from lowest to highest emissions
Set yourself in motion: For short trips, bike or use your skateboard, skateboard, rollerblade or whatever makes you happy. You can also walk. If you do this, your emissions will be ZERO.
Use public transportation: Trains are the motor transports that generates the least emissions per passenger, followed by subways and buses. The more people a motor transport can carry, the smaller and more efficient the footprint.
Use private transportation services: When using a private car, choose the car company wisely. Some companies, such as Cabify, have carbon footprint offset policies.
Carpool Share car trips as much as possible (see "Carpooling"). If you can, choose an electric car or a hybrid car. Keep your car in good condition so you reduce gas expenses and also your emissions.
Avoid flying: Avoid it whenever possible! If you have no choice, choose as few stopovers as possible (airplanes consume a lot during takeoff and landing). When purchasing your airplane ticket, consider the cost of compensating the trip.
What are you going to eat today?
Choose a plant-based diet! Protein intake can be obtained from legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans), quinoa, almonds, nuts and seeds.
Consume local and seasonal products Some places have a delivery service (see caracolesyhormigas or mascercaesmasjusto). Check these maps (see) to find stores, fairs and agroecological markets near you.
Cook at home! There's nothing like homemade food. Also, you will greatly reduce your impact by using plastic trays and cutlery.
Nothing is lost, everything is transformed.
Before buying, rethink your options, reduce your overall consumption, reuse what you can, repair before buying new items, choose refurbished items and always choose to recycle.
Separate your waste into organic, recyclable and non-recyclable. All together is garbage, but if we separate the waste, it is new material (in CABA, visit dondereciclo).
Compost your organic waste. Use it in your plants and give it away if you have any left over (search projects).
Separate your electronic waste. You can take your electronic waste to entities that reuse electronic materials, restore devices and donate them (meet equidad and ebasura).
Some plastic waste cannot be recycled, but we can use it to make plastic wood! (meet botellas de amor and their drop-off locations all over the country).
Buy in bulk and reduce the use of plastic containers (meet ceromarket).
Choose products with little packaging, and bring your reusable bag. Make smart purchases: one 1.5 liter bottle generates less waste than three 0.5 liter bottles.
Where is my money going? What service or product am I supporting?
When buying, ask yourself these questions: Where is my money going? What product or service am I supporting? Choose the alternatives that match your values.
Join sustainable fashion and the clothing reuse movement (meet galpón de ropa and somos cocoliche).
Unplug whenever you can! Every time we make an online search, stream a video, store files in the cloud, upload a photo to Instagram or leave our email inbox full, we generate a footprint that demands 7 % of the world energy.
Consume products made from recyclable materials or by companies that manage their resources in a sustainable manner (see the Forest Stewardship Council [FSC] certification).
And, of course, reduce your emissions
Set your air conditioner at 75 ºF, since it is more than enough to cool any room. The A/C consumes 5 % to 8 % more electricity for each degree you set lower than 75 ºF. It is also important to keep the filters clean (if they are dirty, consumption can increase up to 10 %). Also, avoid leaving doors or windows open when using the A/C.
When buying an appliance, check the energy efficiency label. For household appliances of the same type, a class A appliance consumes 55 % less energy, while a class G appliance consumes 25 % more.
Unplug! Part of our energy consumption also comes from appliances that remain plugged in when unused or on standby, such as power strips or cell phone chargers. For example, if a laptop is turned off but plugged in, it still consumes up to 8.9 w/hour. In "sleep" or "hibernation" mode, it can consume up to 15.7 w/h.
When it comes to lighting, LED and energy-saving bulbs are more efficient than conventional bulbs. Both consume less electricity to produce the same amount of light. LED bulbs consume 80 % less than regular light bulbs, and energy-saving bulbs consume 70 % less, and they have a lifetime of 50,000 and 10,000 hours, respectively.
Not only can we reduce consumption, but we can also generate energy. If you can install solar panels or solar water heaters, please do so!
Reduce your water and gas consumption
Water
When it's time for a bath, opt for a quick shower.
Some devices (aerators) can be attached to a faucet to save water.
Also, dual-flush tank toilet systems save up to 50 % water.
Gas
When cooking on a gas stove, cover pots and pans to keep the heat in.
Insulate your home to reduce heating expenses in winter. Weather strips and window shades are simple and good insulating options.