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CommitClimate carbon footprint calculator

Calculating our carbon footprint It can be difficult for individuals to understand the impact of their own choices on carbon emissions and energy efficiency. We spoke to Aiga Barisa, Kertu Lepiksaar and Alina Safronova about their work in developing tools to both help individuals and municipalities calculate their own carbon footprint, and identify ways in which it could be reduced. Around 75 percent of global energy is consumed in cities, so urban centres have a major role to play in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As Manager of the EU-backed CommitClimate project, Aiga Barisa is part of a team of researchers developing online tools for both individuals and local municipalities, which will be trialled in five pilot areas across four different countries around the Baltic Sea. “We aim to develop tools so that individuals can understand how their own actions affect climate change. At the same time we are also working on tools designed to assist municipalities in reducing carbon emissions,” she outlines.

CommitClimate Simulator for Municipalities The first part of this work centres on developing the CommitClimate Simulator tailored for local authorities. “The simulator is designed to calculate an emissions baseline in a municipality, across all of the major sectors which generate GHG emissions,” continues Barisa. “This includes energy use in both public and

private buildings, as well as municipal infrastructure, like waste and water management. Then there is transportation and the energy sector.” A number of other sectors may contribute to overall GHG emissions in a municipality, depending on the local industry. Some municipalities may also have forested areas that can act as a carbon sink, absorbing

Barisa. “We make certain assumptions, and give users the opportunity to change different variables. We are working with municipalities around the Baltic, as well as other stakeholders. We are gathering feedback and looking to identify what they want to be included in this model.” An important consideration is the likely future population size, while some

In addition to the municipality-focused CommitClimate Simulator , the project team is developing the CommitClimate Carbon footprint calculator, designed to help individuals understand the impact of their own behaviour and personal choices. “We look at how people move around a city for example, what forms of transport do they use? How much meat do they consume and how often? Is it locallyproduced or imported? How much energy do they use at home?” says Barisa. The idea is that an individual can put in their own personal data about their habits and lifestyle, then the model will calculate their carbon footprint for a full year, which can be compared to the national average. The calculator is intended for the general public, so Barisa says it was important to ensure that it is easy to use and doesn’t require vast amounts of detailed information. “Only minimal input information is required for the carbon footprint calculator. The data from the calculator can then inform discussions on the city and regional level around climate topics,” she explains. This will ultimately help municipalities encourage citizens to shift towards more environmentally-friendly habits. While climate change and the energy transition are highly prominent topics in public debate, not everyone is aware of how they can make a difference. “Sometimes you have to remind people about some of the

seemingly minor actions they can take and the impact they can have,” outlines Kertu Lepiksaar, a researcher at Tallinn University of Technology, one of the partners in the CommitClimate project. The carbon footprint calculator allows individuals to see the impact of such changes in their daily lives, which may then lead to a sustained shift in habits. “For instance, you can see how switching to a different mode of transport or eating less meat each week could reduce your emissions. If you take the tram instead of a car, you’ll see a certain reduction in carbon emissions,” says Alina Safronova, a researcher at Riga Technical University, part of the project team. “You can also compare your footprint to the national average and explore actions you can take to reduce it.”

Sustainable energy system The goal is to eventually apply these models more widely, part of the goal of shifting towards a more sustainable energy system and reducing our dependence on finite, fossil-based resources. A deeper understanding of their own carbon footprint may encourage people to try and reduce it, yet often there are barriers that prevent them from changing their behaviour. “For example, someone in a rural area may want to take public transport but not have the option, and so are forced to rely on a car,” points out Safronova. Many factors may influence individual behaviour, such as personal values and beliefs, family circumstances and income levels, and it can be difficult to change ingrained habits, particularly when it comes

“We aim to develop tools designed to assist municipalities in reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, we are also working on tools so that individuals can understand how their own actions affect climate change.” emissions, which Barisa says is reflected in simulations. “We are also interested in the potential of some municipalities to absorb CO2 emissions,” she continues. Once a baseline has been calculated, municipalities can then apply different measures in the relevant sectors, and use the simulator to assess their likely impact on GHG emissions in future. “We use a system dynamics modelling approach, a so-called white box modelling approach, which essentially starts from a blank sheet of paper,” explains

municipalities may also want to explore the impact of new public or private buildings, or the effects of emerging transport technologies. The main priority for municipalities is typically to build a fuller picture of how changes in the transportation and energy sectors will affect emissions. “These are the two largest sectors in terms of emissions. Many municipalities want to understand what measures can be taken in these sectors and their expected effects,” says Barisa.

EU Research

Part of the CommitClimate team at the partner meeting in Tallinn.