CoGo explains: What is my carbon footprint?

What is my carbon footprint?

Whenever we go places, eat things, use and buy new stuff, we’re contributing to the growing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While we don't actually see or feel these gases around us, almost every consumption choice we make creates greenhouse gases. This is your carbon footprint and it is measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

Where we choose to spend our money has a huge environmental price tag too. Every time we spend money and consume things from our morning coffee to our Netflix subscription, our ‘consumption’ has an impact, and this adds to our carbon footprint. 

How do we know what our footprint is and how can I lower it?

A carbon footprint tracker tracks your carbon emissions and is therefore your own personal impact on the planet. Think of it like a fitness tracker counting your steps, except this tracker counts the carbon associated with your spending. Through our partnership with CBA, you will soon be able to see how your everyday purchases, like when you purchase an item of clothing from a retailer, generates carbon emissions.

To give you an idea of the quantity of emissions, every $2 spent at an Australian fashion retailer creates on average 1kg CO₂e, and 1kg of CO₂e is generated by driving an average car 4 kilometres. Certain industries and companies that are more sustainable would perform much better than others when calculating emissions and their carbon impact - renewable energy providers and second-hand fashion retailers for example would have a much lower impact on your footprint.

By helping people understand how their spending contributes to their carbon footprint,  we can help them lower emissions through their spending choices. Actions such as choosing to cut down your meat consumption, home composting or buying second hand goods all make a big difference.