carbon footprint

American  

noun

1. the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company, country, etc..

   the carbon footprint of an overseas flight;

   how to measure your carbon footprint.

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carbon footprint British  

noun

1. a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a single endeavour or by a company, household, or individual through day-to-day activities over a given period

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Etymology

Origin of carbon footprint

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

It said on average a real Christmas tree produces about 3.5kg of carbon dioxide emissions, but a 2m tree sent to landfill without its roots can have a carbon footprint of 16kg.

From BBC

The new chip technology will help speed up laptops, reduce data centres' carbon footprint and allow self-driving cars to spot objects quicker, according to US computing giant IBM.

From Barron's

There are plenty of false alarms, carbon footprints and all, and the future is unknowable, but watch for symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wild venison's carbon footprint is dramatically lower than other meats -- about 38 percent less than beef and 49 percent lower than lamb, according to conservationists Scottish Natural Heritage.

From Barron's

Advocates for carbon capture say part of the reason it’s not making much of a dent in the nation’s carbon footprint is because there hasn’t been enough investment to make it financially viable.

From MarketWatch