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What Is a Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced by something or someone. This includes all actions and points within a value chain or any services used that produce CO2.

2 min read

Author:

Jordan Flagel

Sustainability & Environmental Specialist, certified GRI professional for sustainability reporting

Carbon footprints take into account all aspects of every action, product, service, or other use of energy, from energy used in shipping to energy used to operate an item – and everything in-between.

Countries, cities, people, businesses, schools – any group or individual – all have a carbon footprint. Given the interconnected nature of our world, true carbon footprints are difficult to calculate with certainty, as a person working in a city will contribute to not only their own footprint but also that of their business, city, and country. Carbon footprints take into account all aspects of every action, product, service, or other use of energy, from energy used in shipping to energy used to operate an item – and everything in-between.

Carbon footprint

A carbon balance, on the other hand, is like a dynamic carbon footprint – like a balance you would have in your bank account, except that a lower balance is better. You could even, in theory, have a negative carbon balance if you were to emit as little carbon as possible and offset a significant amount to cover everything you emit, and then some. However, much like going into your overdraft, you likely won’t have a negative balance very long, as everything we do – from taking the bus to reading these words on the internet – emits some degree of carbon.

With TerGo, you will be able to keep your carbon footprint low and not only keep your balance low, but you can also measure your carbon balance in real time. Just use to TerGo app to measure your balance and earn TERs to get compensated for your carbon avoidance practices.

It really does pay to go green.