How To Calculate Your Individual Carbon Footprint
We recommend using the EPA's carbon footprint calculator. You can also use the Footprint App to calculate and track your carbon footprint. Some of the information that you will need to know or estimate includes your average monthly electric and/or natural gas bill, your car’s miles per gallon and the number of miles you drive per year, as well as how much you recycle. Most individuals in the United States will have a carbon footprint around 16 metric tons of CO2 per year. Individuals practicing energy efficiency or driving more efficient cars will have a lower overall carbon footprint.
If you travel by air a lot, your carbon footprint can add up quickly. For example, two people traveling roundtrip economy class to Quito, Ecuador from Houston, Texas generate about 5.5 metric tons of CO2 for that trip. Two people flying round-trip economy from IAH to New York City or Los Angeles generate about 2 metric tons of CO2. A business class seat has a larger footprint, because it accounts for more space in the cabin compared to an economy seat. To calculate the carbon footprint of a flight or other specific activities, we recommend using this website, or others like it.
When using the calculators, be sure to check which units are being used. The EPA calculator uses pounds (lbs) and U.S. tons (1 U.S. ton is equal to 2000 lbs or 0.91 metric tons). This is slightly different than the flight calculator, which uses metric tons (1 metric ton is equal to 1.1 U.S. ton or 2204 lbs.) Texas Coastal Exchange also uses metric tons.
How To Calculate Your Business Footprint
The carbon footprint calculation for businesses can be more complex. If you are separately metered, you can use your electric or gas bill, just like a home. If you own vehicles, you can calculate the mileage and mile per gallon just like you would for yourself. If you are not metered, then estimates will need to be made for the type of building and square footage occupied. More complexity is added by the workers commuting to the job site. Here an estimate will need to be made across the workforce, considering length of commute and types of vehicles (mpg). Air travel must be added in as well.
Basic business calculators for determining your company's carbon footprint can be found online, such as on the EPA's website or at the University of California, Berkeley’s CoolClimate Network. For more details, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol developed by the World Resources Institute is a widely used standard for businesses creating an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions.
If you would like help in calculating the carbon footprint of your business, contact the Texas Coastal Exchange by clicking the button below and we will be happy to assist you with the calculations.
Basic business calculators for determining your company's carbon footprint can be found online, such as on the EPA's website or at the University of California, Berkeley’s CoolClimate Network. For more details, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol developed by the World Resources Institute is a widely used standard for businesses creating an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions.
If you would like help in calculating the carbon footprint of your business, contact the Texas Coastal Exchange by clicking the button below and we will be happy to assist you with the calculations.