Projects to Reduce the Carbon Footprint

Once the sources of emissions, both domestic and industrial, have been identified, it is easier to plan actions aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

21st May 2019

To understand the projects aimed at reducing the Carbon Footprint on the planet, we must understand the context. Not only is it necessary to explain what the Carbon Footprint consists of, but it is also necessary to understand its effects and contribution to Climate Change.

The Carbon Footprint is a metric that quantifies the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere in each small human action. From a small gesture of daily life to a production of emissions due to an industrial activity, each action emits CO2 and measuring each of them gives us important and quantitative information that identifies the different sources of air pollutants.

Once the sources of emissions, both domestic and industrial, have been identified, it is easier to plan actions aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. These measures are applicable to companies and households and are regulated by official institutions.

Industrial Carbon Footprint Reduction Projects

Companies carry out actions with a high environmental and, therefore, social impact. A large volume of emissions from industry makes it necessary to sign a commitment to the environment in order to reverse the negative effects of economic activities.

For that reason, there are already many companies that join the measurement of the carbon footprint and are implementing real measures for the reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

Among the actions that the industry is taking to reduce the carbon footprint are:

– Measuring emissions: Different types of industries can account for the amount of carbon dioxide they release into the environment using free Carbon Footprint calculators.

– Implementing technological systems for the management and treatment of waste that alters or damages the environment. Those treatment solutions must be certified and comply with international ISO quality standards.

– Reducing and optimizing the use of fuels.

– Continuous training for employees, suppliers and customers on the Environment, Climate Change and Ecology.

– Reducing the polluting effects of each of the processes that constitutes the production chain.

– Communicating about the measures taken and systems adopted for the treatment of CO2.

More and more companies are signing up to environmental policies and managing their activity in a sustainable manner.

Official Projects for the reduction of the Carbon Footprint of companies

The European Union aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020 and 40% by 2030. Those are ambitious targets, but they can be met if the legislative measures are implemented which, on the one hand, are aimed at reducing emissions and, on the other, have the objective of supporting the consumption of clean energy.

The United Nations Development Programme also contemplates a series of Sustainable Development Objectives and has a series of Carbon Footprint objectives aimed at reversing Climate Change. One of them is to reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, and for these to be around 0% by 2050. This would mean limiting Global Warming by 1.5ºC.

Institutions can reduce the Carbon Footprint by taking the following measures:

– Calculating the Carbon Footprint of all human activities. Knowing that calculation, the sources of emissions will be known, and measures can be taken for each of them.

– Offsetting the Carbon Footprint. When globally, there are actions that generate more emissions, those can be offset with projects aimed at CO2 absorption.

– Generating Public Carbon Footprint Databases and Registries. Communicating the data in a transparent way and making them accessible to society is key when it comes to community.

– Each country should create Climate Projects aimed at allocating funds and aid to businesses and domestic activities so that they can transform their uses and customs to cleaner and sustainable ones.

– Legislating to reduce the Carbon Footprint. The reduction of emissions can be regulated by the legislative power of each country as well as internationally.

The projects to reduce the Carbon Footprint are based on the Paris Agreement concluded in 2015. In that Conference, 195 countries committed themselves to fight against Climate Change.

And you? What does your company do to contribute reducing the carbon footprint?