Carbon Footprint

Climate change is affecting:

(a) the entire globe,
(b) causing extreme weather events such as
(i)flooding,
(ii)extreme heat waves,
(iii)heavy downpours, and
(iv)rapidly changing climate conditions.
• To limit global warming:
 essential to understand where carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions come from,
 so that actions to reduce emissions can be taken.

 Definition: A carbon footprint is defined as the total

amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the
atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
expressed in equivalent tons of CO2.
Associated with the activities of
 an individual,
 a community,
 an organisation,
 a process,
 a product or service,
 or an event,

among other things.

• Individual carbon footprint can be termed as:

 the total amount of greenhouse gases

produced by our personal actions such as:
 transportation,
 household activities,
 clothing and
 food.
• A product’s carbon footprint measures
• the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions from its
life cycle –
• from raw material extraction and
• production
• to the final use by consumers
• including recycling or disposal.
A company’s carbon footprint determines

the greenhouse gas emissions from across its:

• operations,
• including power generation used in building structures,
• industrial activities,
• and machinery and equipment
The carbon footprint of a country
greenhouse gas emissions from
• total energy and material utilisation,
• plants
• and other carbon sequestrations,
• as well as indirect and direct emissions from import and
export processes.
Carbon Footprint Vs Combating Climate Change
• The carbon footprint, a tool for measuring the contribution
to climate change by
• an individual,
• organisations,
• products
• and services, and more.
By knowing the industrial carbon footprint, an industry can
better understand its
• major sources of emissions
Advantages of measuring a company’s carbon
footprint:
 Assist in understanding the key emissions sources in
the organisation.
 Enables to dive deep into company’s activities and
identify the most important challenges as well as
opportunities.
 Facilitates stakeholder participation.
 Enables to become more conscious of consumption and
contribute to making more responsible decisions.
 To be competitive in the marketplace, one must
implement sustainable carbon-reduction strategies.
 Estimating a company’s carbon footprint can help:
 To improve the reliability and veracity of the data used
for
 (i) Environmental,
 (ii) Social, and
 (iii)Governance sustainability reporting.
• Consumers are also becoming more aware and
conscious of the environmental effects of the products
they purchase from the market.
• According to a 2020 of over 10,000 consumers
worldwide
two-thirds (64%) of consumers endorse the concept of
carbon labelling on products to show that products have
been made with a commitment to measuring and
reducing their carbon footprint.
On individual level,
• to efficiently contribute to climate change mitigation,
important to monitoring and measure individual carbon
footprint.
• Some people produce much more carbon dioxide than
others;
• the average carbon footprint for an individual in the
United States is sixteen tons, which is one of the largest
in the world.
• The average carbon footprint on a global scale is closer
to four tons.
• To have the best chance of keeping global warming to
1.5 degrees Celsius, carbon footprints must be
measured at multiple levels, including:
• national, organisational, and individual.
• Calculation of Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is estimated by measuring not only

CO2 emissions but also emissions of other greenhouse
gases such as
1. methane which is 25 times more potent than carbon
2. and nitrous oxide.
The effects of each of these gases are summed and
represented as a single value in metric tons of carbon
dioxide (MT CO2e).
There are two commonly used methods of carbon
footprint estimation,

(i) life cycle assessment and

(ii) input-output analysis.
• Life Cycle Assessment

• It takes into account all processes in the product’s life

cycle, from production to disposal of the product.
• It involves summing up as many of the emissions
pathways as possible.
• With this approach, there is a high possibility of missing
out some pathways and since it is a manual process;
• it could take days to calculator per product and
therefore not suitable for large scale use.
Input-output Analysis

• Involves carbon intensities, measured in kilograms of

CO2 per amount spent on the products, to assign a
footprint to a product based on its price.

• Fully automated process, much faster and can handle

large amounts of data.

• The main limitation: Cannot manage product-specific

data, such as low carbon sources.
• Choice of methods depends on whether dealing with
small or large amounts of data.
• There are numerous calculators available online to
assist in estimating personal carbon footprint.
• However, depending on the methodology , the
responses could vary significantly between websites.
• Although it is only an estimate, it will provide with an
idea as to how much one makes a contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.
• Also give a better idea for making lifestyle choices more
eco-friendly.
• Methods to Reduce Individual Carbon Footprint
• In everyday lives, one emits greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere.
• By reducing carbon footprint, one can reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
• The choices one makes in day to day activities, travels, the
food, and buy and throw away help ensure a stable climate for
future generations.
• A vegetarian or vegan diet, for example, is more eco-friendly
than a diet rich in meat.
• Other lifestyle changes include using a bicycle instead of a car
to travel,
• Use of renewable energy to power car and electronic devices.
• For Companies
• Carbon footprint reduction is critical in terms of compliance and
stakeholder engagement.
• For the emissions that businesses are unable to cut or reduce,
they can be offset – by investing in eco-sustainable activities to
the point that they capture the same amount of greenhouse gas
emissions that the organisation or activities are accountable for.
• For instance, if company stakeholders can’t avoid flying or long-
distance travels, one way to compensate for the emissions is to
donate money to eco-sustainable projects.
• It is everyone’s responsibility, including individuals and the
private sector, to make the world a cleaner and more
environmentally sustainable place.
• Alternative Fuels:
• Hydrogen
• Electricity
• Biodiesel
• Ethanol
• Liquefied Natural Gas
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Compressed Natural Gas
• Compressed Air
• Liquid Nitrogen
• Coal
• Hydrogen
• Hydrogen as fuel two different types of cars:

• (i) fuel cell vehicles and (ii) vehicles with IC engine using hydrogen instead of
gasoline.
• In a fuel-cell vehicle, the hydrogen is used to generate electricity that's then
used to power electric motors.
• In a chemical process within the fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined
to create electricity, and the only byproduct of this process is water vapor.
• In a hydrogen combustion engine, the car uses an internal combustion engine
just like a gasoline-powered car, but instead of gasoline, hydrogen is the fuel
source.
• Instead of harmful CO2 emissions, like gasoline cars produce, again,
hydrogen cars produce only water vapor.
• Hydrogen cars aren't widespread largely because there isn't the necessary
infrastructure of hydrogen fueling stations.
Electricity
• Problems: In Past Battery technology. Moving a car takes a lot
of power, and having to do it at high speeds and over long
distances can significantly drain an electric car's batteries.
Recharging takes lot of time
• With new battery technology, overcoming these limitations.

• The new batteries (lithium-ion batteries, to be exact) charge

quickly and the charges last longer, too.
• The batteries can be charged by plugging the car into a regular
wall outlet; however, when the battery power begins to fade, an
onboard gasoline generator switches on to recharge the batteries
and keep the car going.
Biodiesel
• Type of fuel made from cooking oil and grease.
• Any car with a diesel engine can run on it
• In order to power the car, the oil and grease need to be
converted into biodiesel through a chemical process.
• Much cheaper and cleaner than fossil diesel
• Ethanol
• An increasingly common alternative fuel.
• Often added to gasoline cut emissions.
• Ethanol a type of alcohol that's made from plant
matter.
• Lots of automakers offer their cars with flex-fuel
engines. These engines can run on either standard
gasoline from the pump or E85 ethanol, a fuel blend
that's 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol.
Liquefied Natural Gas
• Natural gas is a fossil fuel that's found between layers
of underground rock.
• It's drilled for, like oil, burns cleaner than oil or gasoline.
• Cooled natural gas, becomes liquefied, becomes much
more energy dense.
• When liquefied natural gas (LNG) is burned, it releases
much more energy.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Propane is the common name for liquefied petroleum gas, although
that's not exactly right.
• LP gas is a hydrocarbon gas under low pressure.

• It's made up mainly of propane, but it also includes other hydrocarbon

gases.
• LP gas is kept pressurized in order to keep it in liquid form.

• Similar to liquefied natural gas, keeping LP gas liquefied makes it more

energy dense.
• LP gas powers a car through an internal combustion engine that's been
engineered for that type of fuel.
• While this type of fuel isn't widely used for cars it.
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
• For a CNG vehicle, the gas is stored in high-pressure
cylinders.
• CNG takes up a greater amount of space than gasoline
does.
• The Civic GX is a regular Honda Civic that runs on
compressed natural gas.
• As CNG is cheaper and burns cleaner than gasoline,
these types of cars may gain popularity.
• There isn't yet a nationwide network of fuel stations
offering compressed natural gas.
• Compressed Air
• Air is compressed in high-pressure tubes. A typical engine uses air mixed with
gasoline (or diesel fuel) which is then ignited with a spark (or high-pressure) to
generate power.
• A compressed-air vehicle's engine makes use of the expansion of the compressed
air as it's released from the high-pressure tubes to drive the engine's pistons.
• Compressed-air cars don't run entirely on air. Electric motors are also on-board to
compress the air into the car's high-pressure tubes.
• These cars can't be considered fully electric cars either, mainly because the
motors don't directly power the wheels.
• The electric motors are much smaller than the electric motors used in other
electric cars where the primary function of the motor is to power the wheels.
• Compressed-air cars do have to be charged, similar to an electric car, but because
the motors use much less energy, the charge time tends to be much less, too.
• Liquid Nitrogen
• Nitrogen is abundant in our atmosphere.
• Nitrogen-powered cars make fewer harmful emissions than
gasoline or diesel.
• Liquid nitrogen car uses an engine similar to the engine used
in a compressed-air car.
• In a liquid nitrogen car, the nitrogen is kept cold, keeping it in
a liquid form. To power the car, the nitrogen is released into
the engine where it is heated and it expands to create energy.
• While a typical gasoline- or diesel-powered engine uses
combustion to move pistons, a liquid nitrogen engine uses the
expanding nitrogen to power turbines.
• Coal
• Technically, coal a relatively new alternative fuel for cars -- indirectly.

• As electric cars, plug-in hybrids vehicles become more common, coal

will be fueling more and more cars.
• The batteries get their charge from an electricity plant, which, in turn,
gets its power from burning coal.
• In the energy chain, a lot of electric cars are actually coal-powered cars.

• While coal has similar drawbacks as gasoline, but on a per-mile basis,

electricity from coal is a cheaper way to power a car than gasoline.
• Plenty of coal is available compared to petroleum,

• Still clean cars will likely get their energy from a less-than-clean source.
• The different types of hybrid
Vehicles

• Mild hybrid Vehicles

• Pure/Proper/Full Hybrid Vehicles

• Rechargeable hybrid cars/Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

• Mild hybrid Vehicles
• Only partially hybridized and can take some of the strain from
the combustion engine to reduce its fuel consumption.
• Have a small battery that can back up the combustion engine,
doesn’t enable electric driving.
• At starting vehicle moving uses the most energy, this low-level
hybridization can reduce fuel consumption in city driving (by 5
to 10%).
• It is charged by kinetic energy produced from braking and
deceleration, which makes it a self-contained system that
doesn’t need to be charged via a power outlet.
• However, so far shown limited performance and the savings in
terms of CO2 emissions are low.
• Most mild hybrids (MHEVs) run on a conventional engine, but employ
a small motor and a lithium-ion battery (separate to the regular
12V).

• Battery assists the engine, to accelerate efficiently and make the

start-stop system work more smoothly.

• Mild hybrids are mostly for tackling exhaust emissions.

• In order to meet varying government targets and take advantage of
tax incentives calculated by the amount of CO2 emitted per
kilometre.

• Near-silent start-ups and an increase in fuel economy ensure drivers

are kept happy.
Hybrid Vehicles
• HEV has a battery with enough capacity to drive a few kilometers
in all-electric mode.
• Like mild hybrid, battery gets charged by conversion of kinetic
energy released during braking and deceleration.
• In city driving, it allows the electric motor to regularly take over
from the combustion engine.
• This way, the driver saves on fuel while enjoying a drive without
engine noise or vibrations – qualities unique to the electric
vehicle.
• For example, the new Renault E-TECH hybrids can be driven in
all-electric mode for up to 80% of their city driving mileage. And
their fuel consumption for city driving is some 40% lower than
that of the equivalent gas engine car.
Rechargeable hybrid Vehicles/Plug-in Hybrid
Vehicles
• PHEV is to an all-electric vehicle, with a higher-capacity
rechargeable battery (9.8 kWh for the Renault PHEV range).
• It can be charged by domestic power outlet or a public charging
point.
• Rechargeable hybrid cars are perfect, for all of the week’s urban
journeys in the all-electric mode, without using fossil fuels and
thus without creating emissions.
• On long trips, the rechargeable hybrid engine behaves like a
regular hybrid engine, in that the vehicle starts up electrically
and runs partly in electric mode.
Advantages of Hybrid Cars
• Key advantages of hybrid cars:
 Fuel Efficiency: Excellent fuel efficiency.

With the power of an IC engine and electric motor assistance,

achieve higher mileage and reduce fuel consumption, saving on fuel
costs.
 Reduced Emissions: Emit lower levels of greenhouse gases and
pollutants compared to conventional vehicles.

With their electric motor assistance and advanced emissions control

systems, hybrid cars contribute to cleaner air.
 Regenerative Braking: Utilises regenerative braking technology
to convert the kinetic energy produced during braking into
electrical energy, enhancing efficiency.
 Quiet and Smooth Operation: Operates silently, providing a
smooth and serene driving experience.

This reduced noise pollution enhances comfort and tranquillity,

especially in urban environments.
 Resale Value: Retain their value well over time.

With the growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles, have a strong

resale market, providing a potential financial advantage for owners
in the long run.
 Innovative Features: Equipped with advanced features and
technologies.

These (i) regenerative braking, (ii) smart driving modes, (iii)

energy monitoring systems, and (iv) interactive dashboards-

enhancing the overall driving experience.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Vehicles
With numerous advantages, some key points to be aware of:
 Higher Initial Cost: Typically have a higher purchase price compared to their
conventional counterparts.

The advanced technology and components used in hybrid vehicles contribute to

the increased upfront cost.

One should weigh this against the potential long-term savings on fuel and
maintenance.
 Limited Electric Range: Traditional hybrid cars have a limited electric-only
mode range, still rely on IC engine for longer runs.
 Battery Lifespan and Replacement: Uses high-voltage battery packs, which
have a limited lifespan.

The cost of replacing these batteries can be significant, and their lifespan can
vary depending on usage and environmental conditions.
 Weight and Performance: Tend to be heavier due
batteries and electric motors.
Extra weight can affect performance, especially in terms
of acceleration.
Limited Charging Infrastructure: For plug-in hybrid
cars, access to charging infrastructure is crucial, even it
is rapidly developing its charging network, it may still be
less extensive compared to conventional fuel stations.
Maintenance and Repair Costs
Hybrid cars have components that may require
specialised maintenance and repair services.
• Hybrid vs. Electric Vehicles
 HVs use gasoline engines supplemented by small electric
motors.
 EVs rely solely on large battery-powered electric motors.

 HVs are much cheaper to buy, but qualify for fewer incentives
and rebates than EV.
 Fuel costs: Evs are up to 70% cheaper while HVs are 60%
cheaper at best.
 EVs are much cheaper to maintain than EVs due to fewer
moving parts.
 EVs cost more upfront but tend to have lower costs overall
because of (i)fuel costs, (ii)incentives, and (iii) maintenance.