Strategies for sustainable behavior and emission reduction through individual carbon footprint analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Climate change mitigation and food security are critical global priorities, with greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, significantly contributing to climate change. Indonesia, with an annual per capita greenhouse gas emission of 7.5 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, faces a substantial challenge in reducing its emissions. This study aims to investigate the individual carbon footprint of employees at a research institution in Indonesia, providing insights into individual contributions to GHG emissions and identifying key areas for targeted mitigation strategies.METHODS: Data were collected through an online survey from 77 government employees at the National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia, focusing on activities with high emission potential: transportation, food consumption, electricity use, waste creation, and other daily activities. The individual carbon footprint was calculated by converting activity data to carbon dioxide emissions using appropriate emission factors. The analysis included a breakdown of emissions by scope (direct and indirect) and demographic factors such as gender and income level.FINDINGS: The study found that the average individual carbon footprint of the employees was 7.42 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, significantly higher than the national average of 2.03 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Scope 1 emissions contributed 13 percent, primarily from employee bus usage, while Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions from electricity use) accounted for 18 percent. The largest share of emissions, 69 percent, came from Scope 3 activities, with food consumption and transportation being major contributors. Men exhibited a higher personal carbon footprint than women, driven by greater travel and food consumption, while women had higher emissions from entertainment activities. Higher-income levels correlated with increased personal carbon footprint, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic status on carbon emissions.CONCLUSION: The elevated individual carbon footprint among research institution employees underscores the need for targeted strategies to reduce emissions in high-income and high-consumption groups. Behavioral interventions, institutional policies promoting sustainable practices, and comparative studies across different sectors are recommended for future research. By addressing specific emission sources and influencing factors, it is possible to develop effective strategies to reduce individual carbon footprints and support global climate change mitigation efforts.