What is Carbon Footprint and Why is it Important?

What is a carbon footprint? It represents the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted, directly or indirectly, by an individual, a company, or a product. This key metric measures the environmental impact of human activities on global warming, providing essential insights for developing strategies to reduce emissions.

Lowering the CO2 carbon footprint means reducing air pollution and contributing to the fight against climate change, fostering a more sustainable future.

How is the Carbon Footprint Calculated?

The carbon footprint is calculated by summing up CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions generated by various activities. This process follows a life cycle analysis approach, considering:

• Direct emissions: Resulting from fossil fuel use (e.g., car exhaust gases).
• Indirect emissions: Linked to energy production or raw materials used.
• Industrial processes: These contribute to environmental impact.

Some online tools and calculators help estimate the carbon footprint, typically expressed in tons of CO2, providing a clear overview of environmental impact. The Kyoto Protocol, published on December 11, 1997, during the COP3 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), established which greenhouse gases should be considered in these calculations.

Carbon Footprint and Sustainability: Examples and Affected Sectors

Several industries significantly impact the carbon footprint. The most affected sectors include:

• Energy industry: Electricity and fossil fuel production.
• Transportation: Emissions from cars, airplanes, and ships.
• Food sector: Agriculture, intensive farming, and food transportation.
• Fashion and textiles: Production and transportation of clothing.

Examples of high carbon footprint activities include excessive single-use plastic consumption, deforestation, and high fossil fuel energy use. Implementing sustainable strategies, such as renewable energy and eco-friendly materials, can reduce the impact of these sectors. Additionally, organizations can obtain carbon footprint certification (ISO 14064-1) issued by ISO and follow the GHG Protocol established by WRI/WBCSD, which considers both direct emissions and those indirectly generated from electricity and thermal energy consumption.

Italgas’ Role in Reducing Carbon Footprint

Italgas is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through its subsidiary Geoside, the Group’s Energy Service Company (ESCO), which offers innovative solutions. The company is investing in digital technologies to enhance the efficiency of its gas distribution network and lower emissions.

Operating in a rapidly evolving landscape, Italgas aims to combat climate change and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Its gas infrastructure plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon footprint by replacing polluting energy sources in the short term and integrating renewable gases such as biomethane and green hydrogen in the long run. Additionally, Italgas is digitalizing its entire distribution network, implementing DANA technology to monitor leaks, reinforcing its leadership in smart networks that support sustainable energy transitions and greenhouse gas reduction.

Key Strategies to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Both companies and individuals can adopt various strategies to reduce their carbon footprint and move closer to the Net Zero goal. Sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility—every individual can contribute by making environmentally conscious choices. Some effective measures include:

• Energy efficiency: Improving thermal insulation, using sustainable building materials, and investing in advanced energy-saving solutions.
• Sustainable supply chain management: Encouraging suppliers to reduce emissions across the production chain and monitoring progress.
• Logistics and transportation optimization: Reducing air travel, promoting low-emission transport (trams, trains, bicycles), and implementing teleconferencing systems to minimize travel.
• Waste reduction: Adopting circular economy strategies, promoting recycling, and minimizing the use of non-biodegradable materials.

Using biofuels and hydrogen: Investing in biomethane and green hydrogen as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Adopting these measures leads to a tangible reduction in carbon footprint, supporting the ecological transition and advancing toward a carbon-neutral future.