Lifestyle & Sleep
Carbon Footprint Calculator
Everything you consume emits carbon. Estimate your personal annual footprint in tonnes and see where it comes from.
A carbon footprint is the greenhouse-gas total, in tonnes of CO2-equivalent, from your activities — mainly transport, home energy, diet, and purchases. The global average is about 4.7 tonnes per person per year. Use the result as a planning estimate; individual circumstances vary.
Global average: ~4.7 t CO2e/person.
Target for 1.5°C: ~2.5 t by 2030.
Biggest levers: flying, driving, meat, heating.
Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
Your Footprint
What Is Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse-gas impact of your lifestyle, expressed in tonnes of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) per year.
The global average is about 4.7 tonnes per person; a Paris-compatible lifestyle needs roughly 2.5 tonnes by 2030. This calculator covers the four categories that dominate personal footprints.
How It Is Calculated
CO2e = Σ (activity × emission factor)
Example: Example: 300 kWh/month (US grid) + 150 mi/week + 1 flight + avg diet → ≈ 8.4 t CO2e/yr
Impact of common choices
| Action | Annual saving |
|---|---|
| Skip one long-haul flight | ≈ 1.6 t |
| Cut beef to once a week | ≈ 0.6 t |
| Green electricity | ≈ 1.0 t (US grid) |
| Drive 50 fewer miles/week | ≈ 0.9 t |
Limitations
- Emission factors are averages, regional grids and car types differ.
- Only direct lifestyle categories are modeled (no goods, no flights' non-CO2 effects).
- Averages hide huge variation by country and income.
Sources & Review
References used for this calculator’s formulas and thresholds:
Carbon Footprint FAQ
What is a good carbon footprint?
Near 2.5 tonnes CO2e per year by 2030 aligns with the 1.5°C goal. The global average is about 4.7 t.
What contributes most to my footprint?
Usually transport (flights, car) and diet (beef, dairy), then home energy. This calculator shows your split.
Does one flight really matter?
Yes, a single long-haul return flight is roughly 1.6 tonnes CO2e, comparable to a year of average driving.
What are the most effective personal actions?
Fly less, drive electric or less, insulate your home, switch to green electricity, and cut red meat, in that order of typical impact.
Important disclaimer: Results are educational estimates, not a substitute for professional advice. Review your numbers with a qualified advisor before acting on them.