Have you ever considered the cost of your environmental footprint? In observance of Earth Day this Tuesday, April 22, the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO), alongside 16 European organizations, has unveiled the Lifestyle Test tool. This initiative aims to assist consumers in understanding their carbon footprint and to prompt reflection on their consumption habits.
“Take the carbon footprint test and surprise yourself with the result,” reads the platform, accessible here.
To date, 10,216 Portuguese individuals have completed the Lifestyle Test, revealing an average carbon footprint of 8,870 kgCO2e per person annually. A statement released to the press highlights that to combat climate change effectively and ensure that the temperature rise does not exceed 1.5ºC by 2030, the average footprint should be 2,500 kgCO2e per person per year.
The findings reported by DECO indicate that the transportation sector accounts for the largest carbon footprint, with emissions reaching 4,556 kgCO2e per person annually.
This category encompasses the weekly kilometers traveled by car or public transport, and how many hours individuals walk or cycle. However, the most significant impact comes from the number of hours spent on flights each year.
Food ranks as the second-highest contributor, with a carbon footprint of 2,384 kgCO2e per person annually. The consumption of meat, particularly beef, along with cheese and dairy products, as well as imported tea or coffee, plays a significant role in this impact, according to the organization.
In third place is the category of shopping, with a footprint of 1,170 kgCO2e per person annually. This assessment considers individual consumption based on the average Portuguese expenditure on clothing, footwear, and leisure, averaging 270 euros.
Finally, the category of housing records the lowest footprint, with emissions totaling 761 kgCO2e per person per year. In this section, individuals are questioned about the type and construction year of their home, in relation to energy consumption. Water usage is also factored into the carbon footprint calculation.
