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A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions (Nature Australia 2022). The emissions are derived from:
- use of fossil fuels
- industrial processes
- agriculture
- land-use and change in land use
- cutting forests and waste.
How can livestock be a part of the climate solution? The natural carbon cycle explained. By Australian Good Meat. 1:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLmpC-VZoD8&t=4s
A water footprint is the amount of water this is consumed and/or polluted at all stages of production and is measuring units of volume (litres, cubic meters, gallons) giving an idea of the impact that a certain article has on the use of fresh water (Quatium 2020).
Water footprints can be calculated for an individual person, a process, a product's entire value chain, or for a business, a river basin, or a nation (Europe Now Journal 2018).
Ecological footprint shows us how carbon emissions compare and interact with other elements of human demand, such as our pressure on food sources, the quantity of living resources required to make the goods we consume, and the amount of land we take out of production when we pave it over to build cities and roads.
The carbon footprint is 60 percent of humanity's overall ecological footprint and its most rapidly-growing component. Reducing humanity's carbon footprint is the most essential step we can take to end overshoot and live within the means of our planet
Strategies to minimise the workplace environmental impact
- identifying the current level of resource usage, for example, electricity and water by conducting an audit of bills over a period of time
- measuring the number of resources used such as paper
- measuring volumes of waste
- measuring fuel costs.
When measuring resource usage, there are a few things to consider.
- Focus on measuring the most important energy sources or materials used.
- Use metrics (standards of measurement) that will produce useful data.
Be satisfied in obtaining estimates; as long as the trends tell you what you need to know.
Put in place 'systems for gathering, tracking, reporting, evaluating and improving on metrics'.
Measuring and calculating energy efficiency by MSAskillschannel. 14:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J68R5AZARvw
Business can reduce their carbon emissions by:
- using recycled paper, for example, paper towels, copy paper
- sourcing goods locally (reduces transport)
- selecting suppliers who reduce their emissions
- purchase electrical appliances with high energy saving star ratings and water savings
- eliminating disposable cups
- using green cleaning products and cleaning services
- considering sustainable clothing manufacturers for uniforms.
veterinary practices and other animal care facilities,
- analize and document purchasing strategies
- implement environmentally friendly purchasing policies
- embed those into online purchasing systems.
Setting targets for efficiency
Facilities should:
- set targets
- evaluate the improvements.
Other management considerations would include:
- setting timelines
- arranging staff meetings to discuss milestones and completion dates.
- awareness into how to analyse and measure workplace resource usage
- importance of setting targets
- accessing information from key stakeholders and experts to improve workplace resource usage and efficiency.
Credits:
Created with images by Proxima Studio - "Carbon dioxide emissions, carbon footprint concept" • vipman4 - "Eco concept. Tropical island in form of a human footprint in a water. 3d illustration." • Proxima Studio - "Carbon footprint concept with tree on hand" • NicoElNino - "Reduce CO2 emissions to limit climate change and global warming. Low greenhouse gas levels, decarbonize, net zero carbon dioxide footprint. Abstract minimalist design, cutout paper, green background." • Kiattisak - "Business growth success achievement PDCA concept, step stair or ladder for planning development leadership and customer target group" • gustavofrazao - "Hand with marker writing the word Summary"