Individual Carbon Footprint calculation methodology

For calculation of CF following aspects of daily life has been taken into consideration:

Assumptions[1]:

1. The CF is related to GHG emissions but for calculation only CO2 is considered.

2. The global warming potential of various GHGs vary but for calculation GHP is taken to be 1.

3. CF of communications infrastructure is considered negligible

4. CF of mode of construction of house is not considered [2]

5. Personal leisure activities like

   1. smoking, drinking etc.

   2. recreation and leisure facilities

   3. housing

   4. household appliances

   5. hygiene

   6. hotels and other holidays

   7. furnishings

   8. clothing & footwear

   9. post and telecommunications

   10. books, newspapers & magazines are not considered

   11. The emission factor (EF) of each activity is an averaged value and its variation is not considered.

6. Manufacturing of inter personal and social aspects like the following are not considered:

   1. Security installations like CCTV, Sign boards etc. [3]

   2. Sewage line

   3. DISCOM Method

   4. Waste water treatment method [4]

7. The GHG emission for electricity, Gas etc are average values based on EPA and varies according to the geographical location [3].

Calculation[5]:

GHG emission=∑_(i=1)^(n=number of activities)〖emission factor × consumption〗

1. Transportation [6]:

   1. Autorickshaw (km)= 5km * 0.27 CO2 kg

   2. Local train (km)= 0km* 1 CO2 kg

   3. Taxis (km)= 0km * 0.306 CO2 kg

   4. Petrol (litres)= 0 * 2.33 CO2 kg

2. Domestic Use [6]:

   1. Cooking:

      1. Wood=0 kg

      2. LPG Cylinder (per month) = 1*85 CO2 kg [7]

   2. Electricity (kWh)= 20 * 0.85 CO2 kg [8]

   3. Food [9]:

      1. Organic Food

         1. Fertilizer use= 0.2 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

         2. Meat and dairy consumption= 0.4 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

         3. Food Source= 0.1 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

         4. Food Packaging= 0.23 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

         5. Decomposition of food= 0.2 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

         6. Food waste= 0.1 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year [10]

         7. Total= 1.13 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

   4. Social Sphere (as per data of UK)[11]:

      1. Education and Health= 1.1 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

3. Recycling (paper, plastic, glass etc):

   1. Considering average value= 3 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

4. Household [12]:

   1. Cold appliances + Cooking appliances + consumer electronics + ICT= 0.309 kge / kWh [13]

Total Value = 5.64235 tonnes CO2 equivalent per person per year

References

[1] E. G. Chapman, K. A. Cort, J. P. Rishel, S. E. Gulley, and J. M. Niemeyer, “Assumptions, Calculations, and Recommendations Related to a Proposed Guidance Update on Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change FINAL Technical Evaluation Report,” 2012.

[2] J. Solís-Guzmán, C. Rivero-Camacho, D. Alba-Rodríguez, and A. Martínez-Rocamora, “Carbon Footprint Estimation Tool for Residential Buildings for Non-Specialized Users: OERCO2 Project,” Sustain. 2018, Vol. 10, Page 1359, vol. 10, no. 5, p. 1359, Apr. 2018, doi: 10.3390/SU10051359.

[3] “Assumptions and References for Household Carbon Footprint Calculator | Climate Change | US EPA.” https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange/assumptions-and-references-household-carbon-footprint-calculator_.html (accessed Mar. 10, 2022).

[4] H. Zhuang, J. Guan, S. Y. Leu, Y. Wang, and H. Wang, “Carbon footprint analysis of chemical enhanced primary treatment and sludge incineration for sewage treatment in Hong Kong,” J. Clean. Prod., vol. 272, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2020.122630.

[5] S. Zubelzu, R. Álvarez, and A. Hernández, “Methodology to calculate the carbon footprint of household land use in the urban planning stage,” Land use policy, vol. 48, pp. 223–235, Nov. 2015, doi: 10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2015.06.005.

[6] “Calculate My Carbon Footprint, Carbon Footprint Calculator - Tata Power.” https://www.tatapower.com/sustainability/sustainability-initiatives/customer/calculate-carbon-footprints.aspx (accessed Mar. 10, 2022).

[7] D. Pandey et al., “Carbon footprint: current methods of estimation,” Environ. Monit. Assess. 2010 1781, vol. 178, no. 1, pp. 135–160, Sep. 2010, doi: 10.1007/S10661-010-1678-Y.

[8] “Carbon Footprint Calculation- A small introduction of ISO 14064 - Green Clean Guide.” https://greencleanguide.com/calculate-your-carbon-footprint/ (accessed Mar. 10, 2022).

[9] “Emissions from food.” https://www.carbonindependent.org/18.html (accessed Mar. 10, 2022).

[10] “Understanding Food Waste,” 2007. Accessed: Mar. 10, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.carbonindependent.org/www.carbonindependent.org/files/foodwasteresearchsummaryfinaladp29_3__07_25a4c08b.b8683843.pdf.

[11] “What is your carbon footprint? | Carbon Footprint Calculator.” https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/ (accessed Mar. 10, 2022).

[12] “Methodology paper for emission factors: final report,” 2018. Accessed: Mar. 10, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/726911/2018_methodology_paper_FINAL_v01-00.pdf.

[13] “Emissions from home energy use.” https://www.carbonindependent.org/15.html (accessed Mar. 10, 2022).