The carbon footprint is an environmental indicator that measures the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by humans when manufacturing a product or carrying out their daily activities. These gases, which accumulate in the atmosphere, are what cause the greenhouse effect.
Of all the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide has the greatest impact, as it remains in the atmosphere and the oceans for hundreds of years.
Emissions of this gas must be reduced, as excessive and constant emissions disrupt the natural balance of the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise.
The consequences of this global warming include the melting of glaciers, the spread of diseases, changes to ecosystems, the extinction of species and rising sea levels.
The importance of the carbon footprint
Understanding our carbon footprint allows us to recognise our contribution to global warming, identify areas of highest pollution and propose corrective measures to reduce our environmental impact.
This is why it is important to measure our carbon footprint: once calculated, we can not only work to reduce or offset it, but also to optimise resources whilst cutting costs.
To date, the carbon footprint has continued to grow, increasing elevenfold since 1961. Offsetting and reducing the carbon footprint will help mitigate the effects of climate change. Experts maintain that this is the best way to prevent temperatures from continuing to rise and reaching the dreaded 2 °C threshold, which would exacerbate climate change and make it an irreversible problem.
This year’s report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) puts the probability that climate change is caused by human activity at 95 per cent.
By changing our daily habits, improving energy efficiency and the way companies – which emit tonnes of CO₂ every day – produce and manage their operations, we will go a long way towards reducing the effects of climate change.
Spain’s first carbon-neutral accommodation and the only one in Madrid
At SLEEP’N, we have been carbon neutral since 2019 and we calculate and offset our carbon footprint. We generate no emissions from electricity consumption, as we source our electricity from a 100% renewable energy supplier, and we have reduced our emissions associated with water consumption.
We are also working to reduce our emissions from natural gas and waste generation, which we currently offset through donations to CeroCO2’s offset projects. Since 2018, we have planted more than 500 trees in the Community of Madrid.
