What are the carbon footprints around the world – and why do they differ so much?

The lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic have made a dent to our global emissions. Some studies have found that CO2 pollution has fallen by between 10 and 30 percent . But, given that these massive behavioral shifts are temporary, we shouldn’t read into them too much.

We still need to look at our carbon footprints – as individuals, as companies, as nations, and as human communities – in the long term.

So, let’s take a look at some average carbon footprints around the world:

• 6 400 kg CO2 is the average annual carbon footprint of a citizen in the EU.

• 16 400 kg CO2 is the average annual carbon footprint of a North American citizen.

• A little over 10 000 kg CO2 is the average annual carbon footprint of a Finnish citizen.

• 9 036 kg CO2 is the average annual footprint of everyone who’s taken our test here on compensate.com!

• 5 000 kg CO2 is the average annual carbon footprint by person globally.

What do these numbers tell us?

First, they tell us that there is a strong relationship between income and the standard of living and per capita CO2 emissions. Around two-thirds of global GHG emissions are directly and indirectly linked to household consumption. Countries that have a high standard of living have higher carbon footprints, because the citizens in these countries consume more. More cars, more meat, more air conditioning, more heating, more clothes, products, and so on.

This impact is easy to understand if you look at some poorer countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, in countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic, the average annual footprint is around just 0.1 tonnes per year. 

So, prosperity is a big indicator, but not the whole picture. Technology and policy also play a huge role. This becomes clear if we take a closer look at some European countries.Most would agree that France and Germany are very similar in their prosperity and general standard of living. Still, the average footprints differ: In France, it’s about 5 200 kg CO2, in Germany, about 9 000 kg CO2. The difference mostly comes from energy. In France, a high share of electricity is produced from nuclear and renewable sources. 

We’re in this together after all. While it’s important to reduce your own footprint, it’s also important to be actively involved in other ways: To use your voice in your community, to demand better from businesses, from governments, and to help others join the efforts. When it comes to climate action, bigger is better, and only the big changes will lower everyone’s footprint.

The most important number is 2 500.

If and when we want to stop global warming at the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees, we all have to do our part to lower the average carbon footprint. And by a lot! 

The sustainable annual footprint for every single person on the globe would be just 2 500 kg CO2. And we would need to get there by 2030, in less than ten years.

So what do we do with this information?

We use it as a guide. We must use all possible solutions, utilize science and innovation, drastically lower our emissions, strengthen carbon sinks, and focus on sustainability.  

Understanding the impact we have on the climate is the first step on the journey to a carbon negative future, which is the only truly sustainable way.

Compensate enables easy access to highest-quality carbon capture – for businesses and for individuals. Learn more and join us.

Sources and further reading for the curious minds:

Where in the world do people emit the most CO2?

Who emits more than their share of CO2 emissions?

Quantifying the potential for climate change mitigation of consumption options