The Carbon Footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced during the life cycle of a product, a process, or a service (expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide per functional unit of analyzed product/process/service). The patterns of fossil fuel combustion, carbon capture and sequestration, and conventional and unconventional fossil fuel production, but also the emissions linked with consumer behavior, can be analyzed considering their carbon footprint. In this chapter the carbon footprint tool is introduced, linking it to fossil energy systems and renewable energy systems, as well as the main products on the market, to provide information on which technology should be promoted to reduce GHG emissions.
Part of the book: Greenhouse Gases