Guide to Calculate Carbon Footprint in India

Guide to Calculate Carbon Footprint in India

Calculate Carbon Footprint in India

India-specific, step-by-step Guide to Calculate Carbon Footprint in India (for individuals, homes, offices, or small businesses).

Step 1: List Your Emission Sources in India

Break your footprint into 5 buckets:

  1. Transport – Car, bike, bus, flights
  2. Home Energy – Electricity, LPG/PNG
  3. Diet & Lifestyle – Food habits
  4. Waste – Wet/dry waste, recycling
  5. Shopping & Services – Clothes, gadgets, online orders

Step 2: Collect Your Data (Last 12 Months)

Transport

  • Car/Bike km per month

  • Fuel type: Petrol/Diesel/CNG

  • Flights (domestic/international)

Home Energy

  • Electricity units (kWh/month from bill)

  • LPG cylinders per year or PNG units

Diet

  • Veg / Mixed / Non-veg days per week

  • Eating outside frequency

Waste

  • Waste per day (kg)

  • Recycling yes/no

Shopping

  • Clothes per year

  • Gadgets per year

  • Online orders per month

Step 3: Apply Indian Emission Factors

These are average India-relevant factors (approx):

Electricity (India Grid)

  • 0.708 kg CO₂ per kWh

Formula:
Units × 0.708 = kg CO₂

Transport

  • Petrol Car: 2.31 kg CO₂ per litre
  • Diesel Car: 2.68 kg CO₂ per litre
  • Two-wheeler: ~0.075 kg CO₂ per km
  • Bus: ~0.05 kg CO₂ per km (per person)
  • Flight: ~90 kg CO₂ per hour (domestic avg)

Formula (Car by km):
Km ÷ mileage × emission factor

Example:
800 km/month, mileage 15 km/l (petrol)
= 53 litres × 2.31 = 122 kg CO₂/month

LPG / PNG (Cooking Gas)

  • LPG: ~42 kg CO₂ per cylinder (14.2 kg)
  • PNG: ~2.1 kg CO₂ per SCM (approx)

Formula:
No. of cylinders × 42 = kg CO₂

Diet (Rough India Avg)

  • Veg: ~1.7 tons CO₂/year

  • Mixed: ~2.5 tons CO₂/year

  • Heavy non-veg: ~3.3 tons CO₂/year

You can prorate by days per week.

Waste

  • Mixed waste: ~0.5 kg CO₂ per kg

  • Recycled waste: ~0.2 kg CO₂ per kg

Formula:
Daily waste (kg) × 365 × factor

Shopping & Services (Estimate)

  • 1 clothing item ≈ 10 kg CO₂

  • Smartphone ≈ 70 kg CO₂

  • Laptop ≈ 200 kg CO₂

Add annual estimates.

Step 4: Convert to Annual Tons

Add all kg CO₂ values → divide by 1000

Example:

  • Electricity: 1,200 kg

  • Transport: 1,500 kg

  • LPG: 250 kg

  • Diet: 2,500 kg

  • Waste + Shopping: 300 kg

Total: 5,750 kg = 5.75 tons CO₂/year

Step 5: Convert CO₂ to Carbon Credits

1 Carbon Credit = 1 ton CO₂

So,
5.75 tons CO₂ ≈ 6 Carbon Credits needed

Step 6: Reduce Before You Offset (Smart Net Zero Method)

Before buying credits, reduce emissions:

  • Switch to LED & 5-star appliances

  • Rooftop solar

  • Carpool / EV

  • Public transport

  • Reduce food waste

  • Recycle

Then offset remaining emissions with carbon credits.

Step 7: Offset with Verified Carbon Credits in India

Choose projects like:

  • Afforestation

  • Solar / wind

  • Biogas

  • Waste-to-energy

Look for:

  • Verra / Gold Standard certified
  • Transparent monitoring
  • Indian projects for CSR benefits

Example: Office in India (Quick)

  • Electricity: 20,000 kWh × 0.708 = 14,160 kg

  • Diesel genset: 2,000 L × 2.68 = 5,360 kg

  • Travel: 50,000 km × 0.171 = 8,550 kg

Total: 28,070 kg = 28.07 tons CO₂
Offset needed: 29 carbon credits

Common Mistakes

  • Ignoring electricity emissions
  • Using foreign emission factors for India
  • Not annualizing monthly data
  • Offsetting without reducing first
  • Buying non-verified credits