What is a Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is an indicator of the damage caused by the total greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere through the daily activities and consumption of products by individuals and communities. This term, which describes the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that each person and company releases into nature, includes the total emission of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere both directly and indirectly. The carbon footprint has become a significant environmental issue, especially after the industrial revolution, leading to many environmental problems such as climate change, air pollution, and natural disasters.

Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement

International agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement support global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint. These agreements set out the commitments of countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and play a crucial role in the fight against climate change.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement signed in 1997 to combat the effects of global warming and aimed at reducing harmful gas emissions by 5%. Turkey joined this protocol in 2009 and, with national measures and policies to control greenhouse gas emissions, is part of the international agreement to combat climate change.

The Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015 at COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris. It is an international agreement aimed at limiting global warming to 2 degrees and ensuring the joint cooperation of 197 countries. This agreement allows countries to declare their national contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Main Causes of the Carbon Footprint

Industrialization

The industrialization steps taken in the mid-20th century have led to an uncontrolled and very rapid increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The increasing production volume of factories, the intensive use of fossil fuels, and the rapidly growing energy consumption needs have significantly increased the carbon footprint. This process, which began with the industrial revolution, continues today and threatens the ecological balance.

Animal Husbandry

The increasing consumption of meat and mass production-based livestock farming increase the emissions of harmful methane gas into the atmosphere. Animal husbandry is a significant source of methane emissions. Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2) and, despite its shorter duration in the atmosphere, has a much larger impact on climate change.

Waste Materials

The amount of waste materials in the world is very high. This situation harms the natural resources of the world and the habitats of living beings. Especially plastic waste pollutes oceans and land ecosystems, threatening both human health and wildlife. The uncontrolled disposal of waste into nature contributes to the increase in the carbon footprint.

Human Activities

The habits of people to perform many tasks efficiently and quickly in daily life also contribute significantly to the carbon footprint. Excessive energy consumption, unnecessary water use, fossil fuel-based transportation methods, and lack of recycling habits lead to an increase in the carbon footprint.

Calculating the Carbon Footprint

To reduce the carbon footprint, it must first be calculated. After determining the current carbon footprint, ways to reduce it can be explored, and steps can be taken to lower the carbon footprint. Carbon footprint calculators help individuals and companies determine their total carbon footprint based on factors such as energy consumption, travel habits, consumption, and waste production.

With Pier EIS, it is possible to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide your company emits into the environment. In this way, you can take the necessary measures and keep your carbon footprint under control. Request a demo to take advantage of Pier EIS.

What Can We Do to Reduce the Carbon Footprint?

More Efficient Use of Energy

Limiting energy consumption to what is necessary and avoiding unnecessary use is one of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint. Lower energy consumption significantly contributes to the conservation of natural resources and energy savings. For example, turning off and unplugging unused electrical devices saves energy and reduces our carbon footprint.

Changing Transportation Habits

Walking or cycling for short distances and using low-emission vehicles for longer distances significantly reduce the carbon footprint. Using public transportation and alternative methods such as carpooling can also be helpful.

Switching to Renewable Energy Sources

Using renewable energy sources for energy production reduces the use of fossil fuels and lowers our carbon footprint. Turning to clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric supports environmental sustainability.

Recycling Waste

Recycling our waste and/or reusing it reduces the amount of waste disposed of in nature and helps protect natural resources. Recycling saves energy and lowers our carbon footprint.

Afforestation

Planting trees is one of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis and produce oxygen, reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Participating in afforestation campaigns or planting trees in our garden is a simple and effective way to contribute to nature.

Taking these measures to reduce our carbon footprint helps us fulfill our individual and collective responsibility to protect the environment. Small steps taken by each individual and company can be the beginning of significant changes.

The Impact of Pier EIS on the Carbon Footprint

Pier EIS's energy monitoring and management systems enable companies to monitor and manage their energy consumption effectively. These systems increase energy efficiency, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and thus lower the carbon footprint. For example, identifying anomalies in energy consumption and analyzing the causes of these anomalies can minimize energy losses.

Using green energy is a central priority for environmentally conscious facilities. By conducting cost-benefit analyses, the positive impacts of green energy consumption on the ecosystem can be clearly observed. By determining the source of the energy used in production, critical parameters such as the amount of reduced carbon emissions or the number of trees saved can be quantified. Pier EIS is based on this data and considers environmental sensitivity and cost efficiency to maximize the sustainability of your facility.

Pier EIS's energy monitoring systems provide companies with detailed reports on their energy consumption and carbon emissions. These reports help companies analyze their energy use and develop strategies to reduce their carbon footprint. Data analysis and reporting enable companies to continuously monitor their energy performance and make improvements.

The services offered by Pier EIS help companies increase their energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy, significantly reducing their carbon footprint. This contributes to environmental sustainability and plays a crucial role in combating climate change.