Understanding your carbon footprint and how to reduce it

A person’s carbon footprint reflects the emissions of CO₂ and other GHGs associated with their daily habits and other factors. It’s typically expressed in kilograms or tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO₂e) emissions. While far from perfect, carbon footprint tools can help measure your impact on the planet, considering factors like how the electricity is generated in your region, the size of home you live in and what you buy. 

And that’s important, because household emissions may vary greatly depending on where in Canada we live, work, and play. The distances we travel to work and how; the way we heat and cool our homes; our food and leisure choices — all play a role in determining our carbon footprint.

Because measuring matters for planning next steps. Whether it’s financial planning or carbon reduction, knowing where you stand is critical in deciding what steps to take to achieve your goal. And as noted earlier, at 14.2 tonnes of CO₂e per person on average, Canadians have one of the worst per-capita carbon emissions on the planet Opens in a new window..

In 2015, Canada signed The Paris Agreement Opens in a new window.. This is a legally binding international treaty that includes Canada and 195 other parties. It aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. To meet our national commitments to the Paris Agreement, the average Canadian would need to reduce their emissions by 95% by 2050⁴.

That seems like a lot, but understanding where to make the most meaningful reductions can help. 

A number of core areas make up the largest proportion of a person’s carbon footprint. Here are a few ideas from each area to help get you started on your own carbon reduction journey.

Transportation

When commuting, choose walking, cycling and public transit where you can. If you like travelling, consider local trips to reduce flying. Also, the next time you’re in the market for a vehicle, consider going electric or hybrid. If you’re thinking about buying an electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, you may qualify for special financing rates through the CIBC Green Vehicle Program. You could also be eligible for rebates or tax write-offs through the Canadian government's Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program (iZEV) Opens in a new window..

Home energy use

Look into ways to reduce your home energy consumption. You can start small by not cranking up the heat or air conditioning. Or make bigger changes like switching to energy-efficient appliances. For more tips on home energy savings, check out our Guide to energy savings and home improvements. If you’re making your home more energy efficient, you may qualify for government initiatives, such as the Canada Greener Homes Grant Opens in a new window.. Another is CMHC Eco Plus Opens in a new window..

Food consumption

Be mindful of your food choices. Consider more plant-based meals and cut back on meat and dairy products. Shopping at local farmers’ markets and choosing organic further support emission reductions, but be mindful of the distances organic food may be travelling. Beef, lamb and cheese have some of the largest carbon footprints of all food products.⁵

Purchases

The fewer goods we buy, the less we contribute to emissions linked to production, transportation and disposal. For clothing, consider shopping second-hand, buying higher quality pieces that will last you longer and supporting brands with sustainable practices. Be mindful of goods with a lot of packaging, and remember to reduce, reuse and recycle.