estimating individual carbon footprint

8/12/2019 Estimating Individual Carbon Footprint

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Estimating Individual

ESL 330

Assignment-1

Bhuvnesh Sharma

2009ch70132


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Carbon footprint

Primary footprint

Direct emissions

Transportation

Private vehicle Public transport

Domestic fuel consumption

LPG

Natural gas

Secondary footprint

Indirect emissions

Electricity

Food

Household products

Paper

Plastics

Construction

Walking, Bicycle

Lifestyle


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Methodology & Assumptions

Identified activities leading to Direct & Indirect emissions

For Electricity

Calculated power ratings of appliances & estimated time usage on day

basis ; converted day data to year

For NCR region electrical emission factor was calculated using Northeastern electricity grid data (0.83 KgCO2/kWh)

For Food

Assumed diet mainly consisting of Dairy products, eggs, rice, wheat Calculated calories intake per item mentioned above and multiplied

with calorie CO2 equivalent according to US National crops data


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Electricity

Electricity Watt(W) Time(hr)/per day CO2 (Kg/year)

Tubelight+Choke 55 16 263.384

Laptop 90 4 107.74

Fan 70 16 335.22

Mobile charging 4 2 2.39

Toaster 1050 0.083 26.18

Washing machine 500 0.5 10.68

Total 745.62

*Emission factor for NCR region 0.82 KgCO2/kWh


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Food

Items Calories in one year CO2 Equivalent of food

(pounds/calorie)

CO2 (Kg/annum)

Milk 65700 0.012 357.1452

Potatoes 17702.5 0.003 24.0576975

Tomatoes 3832.5 0.003 5.2083675

Eggs 4984 0.012 27.093024

Total 413.504289


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Transport

Mode of transport Average distance travelled yearly (km) CO2 equivalnet

(gm/km)

CO2 (Kg/annum)

Auto-rickshaw 2080 10.05 20.904

Bus 1040 4.19 4.3576

Train 5200 5.5 28.6

Total 53.8616

Methodology: Train distance calculated for round trip to Jaipur (250 km one side) every month


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Potential of mitigation

From the previous analysis potential of mitigation of CO2 emission seem possible only

in electricity & food (as transport & paper already contribute minimum)

Electricity Replacing light bulbs & fans with Energy star qualified

products ( Saves 359 Kg CO2/ annum)

Switching off lights & fans timely (Saves 341 Kg CO2/ annum)

Efficient handling of washing machine


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Results

CO2 Emission modes CO2 (kg/annum)

Electricity 937.14

Food 413.50

Transport 53.86

Total 1404.50

After mitigation 704.37


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Conclusions

CO2 emission comes out to be 1.4 tons/annum against Indian

per capita emission of 1.9 tons/annum

The results shown are approximate and some emission

activities were not included in the study which would

contribute to increase in the result

Comparison with Indian per capita shows that being a student

living with minimum luxuries, not driving automobiles, the CO2

emissions are still high and would increase in future

Results show that this careless & irresponsible lifestyle needs a

change

A changed lifestyle can reduce CO2 emissions by 700 Kg/annum


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Recommendations

Change in lifestyle Accepting energy saving as part of lifestyle

Encouraging energy star appliances in institute rooms

Switching off lights & fans while leaving classrooms, hostel common

rooms, bathrooms, exhausts etc.

Two way switch/MCB outside every room

Use a manual lawn mower

Unplug electronics that draw power even when theyre turned off

Use washing machine for large number of clothes

Discouraging use of paper in institute area mostly during cultural

festivals & other type of notices

Spread the word; create awareness among students, sensitize them


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Reduce Carbon footprint


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References

CO2 Emissions from passenger transport in India, Sanjay Singh

Environmentally effective food choices, National food

administration, Sweden food guidelines

http://www.epa.gov

http://www.zeroghg.com/

http://www.co2list.org/
http://www.epa.gov/http://www.zeroghg.com/http://www.co2list.org/http://www.co2list.org/http://www.zeroghg.com/http://www.epa.gov/

estimating individual carbon footprint

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