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6.3 Results and Discussion
Table 6.2 shows the degree of distribution of the per capita carbon footprint according to different development indices, in different income groups, and in different
regions, countries, and major Indian cities. It is clear that individuals in high-income
countries have the biggest footprint, while the footprint of those in developing countries is substantially smaller. In recent times, carbon footprints have been used as an
important indicator of event management (London 2012 Sustainability Plan 2007).
Individuals in high-income OECD (Organisation for Co-operation and Development)
member countries have the largest carbon footprint (13.2 tCO 2 e), whereas those in
the lowest-income countries have the smallest (0.2 tCO 2 e). Similarly, individuals in
countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) score release the most
CO 2 e emissions into the environment (10.1 tCO 2 e), while those in countries with
medium and low HDI scores release only 2.5 tCO 2 e and 0.3 tCO 2 e, respectively.
According to comparative carbon footprint analysis, the global annual per capita
carbon footprint is 4.0 tCO 2 e. The USA has the largest per capita carbon footprint
(20.0 tCO 2 e). Elsewhere, the respective values are 10.76 tCO 2 e in Japan, 9.0 tCO 2 e
in the UK, and 3.2 tCO 2 e in China. In comparison, the respective values are only
1.33 tCO 2 e in India, 1.3 tCO 2 e in the region of South Asia, and only 1.1 tCO 2 e in the
city of Kolkata. Thus, the per capita carbon footprint in Kolkata is lower than anywhere else in the world because the total energy consumption is much less than in
other developed nations. Worldwide, it has been observed that high per capita
energy consumption is recorded in developed and more industrialized counties,
while lower levels of consumption are recorded in developing countries. Countries
with higher per capita energy consumption have higher levels of atmospheric
emissions.
It can also be noted from Table 6.2 that whereas the global per capita carbon
footprint is 4.0 tCO 2 e, the respective values in major Indian cities vary from only
1.1 tCO 2 e in Kolkata to 1.2 tCO 2 e in Ahmedabad, 1.3 tCO 2 e in Bangalore, Chennai,
Hyderabad, and Mumbai, and 1.5 tCO 2 e in Delhi. It is clear that the per capita emission level is lower in Kolkata than in other major cities of India; thus, in terms of
energy consumption, it can be stated that Kolkata consumes less energy per capita
that other cities in India.
6.3.1 Household Carbon Footprints in Kolkata
On the basis of the survey data, the following results were obtained. The average
carbon footprints are reported in Tables 6.3–6.6. The data in all tables are based on
the results of the household survey, which was used to quantify CO 2 e emissions, and
calculation of the per capita carbon footprint at the household level in the KMC
study area used for this analysis.
Rukhsana and Md. F. Molla
6.3 Results and Discussion
Table 6.2 shows the degree of distribution of the per capita carbon footprint according to different development indices, in different income groups, and in different
regions, countries, and major Indian cities. It is clear that individuals in high-income
countries have the biggest footprint, while the footprint of those in developing countries is substantially smaller. In recent times, carbon footprints have been used as an
important indicator of event management (London 2012 Sustainability Plan 2007).
Individuals in high-income OECD (Organisation for Co-operation and Development)
member countries have the largest carbon footprint (13.2 tCO 2 e), whereas those in
the lowest-income countries have the smallest (0.2 tCO 2 e). Similarly, individuals in
countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) score release the most
CO 2 e emissions into the environment (10.1 tCO 2 e), while those in countries with
medium and low HDI scores release only 2.5 tCO 2 e and 0.3 tCO 2 e, respectively.
According to comparative carbon footprint analysis, the global annual per capita
carbon footprint is 4.0 tCO 2 e. The USA has the largest per capita carbon footprint
(20.0 tCO 2 e). Elsewhere, the respective values are 10.76 tCO 2 e in Japan, 9.0 tCO 2 e
in the UK, and 3.2 tCO 2 e in China. In comparison, the respective values are only
1.33 tCO 2 e in India, 1.3 tCO 2 e in the region of South Asia, and only 1.1 tCO 2 e in the
city of Kolkata. Thus, the per capita carbon footprint in Kolkata is lower than anywhere else in the world because the total energy consumption is much less than in
other developed nations. Worldwide, it has been observed that high per capita
energy consumption is recorded in developed and more industrialized counties,
while lower levels of consumption are recorded in developing countries. Countries
with higher per capita energy consumption have higher levels of atmospheric
emissions.
It can also be noted from Table 6.2 that whereas the global per capita carbon
footprint is 4.0 tCO 2 e, the respective values in major Indian cities vary from only
1.1 tCO 2 e in Kolkata to 1.2 tCO 2 e in Ahmedabad, 1.3 tCO 2 e in Bangalore, Chennai,
Hyderabad, and Mumbai, and 1.5 tCO 2 e in Delhi. It is clear that the per capita emission level is lower in Kolkata than in other major cities of India; thus, in terms of
energy consumption, it can be stated that Kolkata consumes less energy per capita
that other cities in India.
6.3.1 Household Carbon Footprints in Kolkata
On the basis of the survey data, the following results were obtained. The average
carbon footprints are reported in Tables 6.3–6.6. The data in all tables are based on
the results of the household survey, which was used to quantify CO 2 e emissions, and
calculation of the per capita carbon footprint at the household level in the KMC
study area used for this analysis.
Rukhsana and Md. F. Molla