Dear reader, I’m excited to write you again!
Last time, we posed 20 questions you should ask yourself when making daily choices. Why does this matter? This is because every choice we make has an impact on our environment (immediate or future). It will either generate a backlash or leave a positive impression on the environment. We should note that these questions are non-exhaustive. Rather, they are meant to be guiding questions.
In discussing sustainability, reducing carbon footprint remains a central point. Carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), that is generated by an individual, organisation, product, or activity. These activities include energy consumption, transportation, industrial processes, agriculture, and land use. Understanding carbon footprints helps identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to reduce environmental impact.
While much has being said, reducing carbon emissions is more likely to happen if individuals know how much carbon are generated from their day-to-day activities. For instance, you’d soon discover that your choice of diet is a crucial part of your carbon footprint. I invite you to visit https://www.carbonfootprint.com/sustraxvita.html. There are several free online carbon footprint calculators, so feel free to choose which works for you. Note that this is not a promotional post for this website but rather for educational purposes only.
I just calculated mine. Based on my activities and the indicators provided within this calculator, my carbon footprint is 1.81 tCO₂e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent). Activities listed in this calculator includes Electricity, Natural Gas, Fuel, Cars, Flights, Public Transport, and Spending. although other carbon footprint calculators may present slightly different indicators, they capture fundamental indices. My carbon footprint as indicated by the result above is relatively low greenhouse gas emissions when compared to the global average. While the global average is closer to 4 tons, the EU average is 8 tCO2-eq. This indicates an urgency in the race to achieve a 2°C global temperature increase target, necessitating that the average global carbon footprint needs to be reduced to under 2 tons by 2050.
While Malta’s per capita emissions are below the EU average, its growth in greenhouse gas emissions has been among the highest in the EU.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
In 2022, Malta’s net greenhouse gas emissions per capita were 4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which is below the EU average of 8 tCO2-eq.
Despite lower per capita emissions, Malta has experienced substantial growth in greenhouse gas emissions. For example, in 2023, emissions from sectors covered by the effort-sharing legislation increased by 32.3% since 2005, according to the European Parliament.
Malta is committed to a 19% reduction in GHG emissions compared with 2005 under the ESR for the 2021-2030 period. However, Malta is facing difficulties in meeting its ESR targets domestically and intends to rely on flexibility options, such as transferring allowances between Member States, according to the European Parliament.
The government through agencies such as the Climate Action Authority is working towards the achievement of Malta’s Climate neutrality. More so, great efforts are being made to reduce the impact of global warming on sustainable livelihoods in Malta. For example, Nature-Based Solutions such as the Urban Greening Initiatives by Project Green are commendable and should be sustained and possible expanded.
Have you managed to calculate your carbon footprint? For a more helpful perspective, you may consider:
Key Takeaways
By following these steps, you can contribute to promoting sustainability.