Carbon footprint

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A carbon footprint is the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person. They are called greenhouse gases because they absorb infrared radiation in the atmosphere, creating a “greenhouse effect” that contributes to global warming. They include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

Greenhouse gases were attributed a coefficient for their global warming potential (GWP) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. They are expressed as CO₂e (e means ‘equivalent’) by multiplying their weight with the GWP value.

A carbon footprint is expressed as CO₂e following a carbon footprint assessment.

In order to better inform consumers about the carbon footprint of products, some organizations have developed carbon labeling schemes.

Further reading

Studies on the banana's carbon footprint in the Musalit bibliographical database

Acknowledgements

This page was set up in the framework of the World Banana Forum.