Your carbon footprint is very important when it comes to the environment. Every action we take has a bearing on the volume of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane that iare generated.
Globally, our individual footprint sits at around four tonnes. Think that sounds high? In the United States, that soars to 16 tonnes on average. That shows we have work to do and if we are to avoid a two-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures, we need to push that average down to an average of two tonnes per person by 2050.
There are many, small steps we can take at home and at work to reduce our carbon footprint including eating less meat, using greener, more efficient appliances and adopting solar power solutions. The first step is determining what your carbon footprint is and then taking steps in the right direction to bring it down.
Energy Matters has been a leader in the renewable energy industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
Let us discuss and choose the best quote that suits your needs and budget, and we can connect you with our trusted local installers, who will provide up to 3 FREE quotes for your home and business solar energy system.
How to calculate the carbon footprint
Calculating your carbon footprint in Australia is crucial for understanding your impact on the environment. It allows you to identify areas where you can make changes to reduce your emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future. By utilising carbon footprint calculators specifically designed for Australia, you can gain accurate insights into your personal or business emissions.
How to calculate your carbon footprint at home
There are many personal carbon calculators available, including those at carbonneutral.com.au and The Australian Greenhouse Calculator (AGC).
These calculators measure:
- your vehicle use
- electricity consumption
- the use of gas to heat your home or cook with
- the waste you produce
- the water you use
- the volume of paper you go through
- how often do you travel by air and public transport
- the types of events you go to.
Try and use the most comprehensive calculator that you can find to analyse all of your behaviour and consumption. This will give you a complete picture of your carbon footprint with real changes you can employ for the future.
Switching to a better plan? You may already have an energy plan but want more power or to shop for a better deal.
Energy Matters’ “Free Energy Bill Comparator” is a cutting-edge energy comparator tool that allows you to compare your area’s most competitive retail offers. We collect the data from our wide range of trusted retailers, allowing you to decide about changing your plan.
If your goal is to get more electricity and minimise the cost of your gas and electricity bills, switch to a better plan now!
How to calculate your carbon footprint at work
Business carbon calculators are a little bit more complex, as you need to analyse your logistics and operations annually and determine changes that can be made to reduce your emissions or offset them.
Businesses need to determine their carbon footprint and then set up a management system, including reporting that can help you work towards Net Zero emissions and carbon neutrality.
The first step is to establish a boundary of all operations and take measurements of all emissions directly caused by your operations, and also those indirectly caused by your operations. The third scope of data you will need is a bit more difficult: working out indirect emissions from activities outside your operations.
You will need access to all of the energy, gas and water bills and consumption information as well as all business travel, including staff commuting to and from work. This data needs to be recorded over a long period of time to ensure it is consistent. From there, you will be able to determine your carbon footprint and you begin to make changes to bring it down.
There are plenty of calculators out there that can assist once you have this data including Carbonfund and Carbon Trust SME Carbon Footprint Calculator. These tools will help you calculate your carbon footprint in Australia and provide valuable insights for reducing emissions.
It’s time to take action
Once you have collected the relevant data and determined your carbon footprint, it’s time to take action. Use the insights gained from the calculations to implement effective strategies for reducing emissions. This may involve:
- adopting energy-efficient practices,
- investing in renewable energy sources,
- optimising logistics and transportation,
- implementing waste reduction and recycling initiatives,
- and promoting sustainable practices among employees and stakeholders.
Remember, calculating your carbon footprint is just the first step. It is crucial to continuously monitor and reassess your emissions to ensure progress towards your sustainability goals. By actively managing and reducing your carbon footprint in Australia, you are making a positive impact on the environment and contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.
RELATED: Deliveroo announces move to carbon-neutral delivery model
Still can’t afford to switch to solar power?
Are you considering getting solar panels but are currently short on funds? You can still invest wisely, and Energy Matters can help you.
Powow and Energy Matters have teamed up to provide consumers with an alternative to switching to solar power and battery storage.
The biggest obstacle to installing solar and battery storage is typically finance. With Powow’s PPA and VPP, our customers will have a $0 upfront option and financial stability in the uncertain energy market.
Get up to 3 obligation-free quotes by getting in touch with us right away. Find out what payment plan options suit your needs and budget!
Check out our page for Powow: Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
