A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by various human activities, ranging from electricity use and transportation to food consumption.
Understanding carbon footprints is important because the greater the emissions produced, the greater their impact on climate change. Therefore, individuals, companies, and governments all need to play a role in reducing them.
Unknowingly, almost every daily activity leaves a carbon footprint. Turning on the lights, driving a vehicle, using a mobile phone, and buying new clothes all require energy, much of which still comes from fossil fuels.
In Indonesia, this issue is becoming increasingly important as population growth, rising energy demand, and economic development continue to increase carbon emissions.
Therefore, understanding the causes, impacts, and ways to reduce carbon footprints is an important first step toward creating a more sustainable future.
What Is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated directly or indirectly by human activities.
These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which contribute to global warming and climate change.
The more activities that rely on burning fossil fuels, the larger the resulting carbon footprint.
The size of each person's carbon footprint also varies depending on their lifestyle, consumption patterns, location, and the types of transportation they use.
According to Our World in Data (2024), the energy sector accounts for approximately 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor compared with other sectors.
Meanwhile, the transportation sector contributes approximately 16%, while the food system is also a significant source of emissions through production, distribution, and food waste.
Causes of Carbon Footprints
Almost all modern activities generate carbon emissions. Here are some of the main causes.
1. Transportation
Cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and ships generate carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. According to various international reports, road transportation is the largest contributor to emissions within the global transportation sector.
2. Fossil Fuel Energy Use
Electricity used in households and industries is still largely generated by coal-, oil-, and natural gas-fired power plants. Therefore, high electricity consumption can also increase carbon footprints.
3. Manufacturing and Industry
Every product purchased has a carbon footprint, from production and packaging to distribution. Cement, steel, textile, and electronics industries are among the sectors with relatively high emissions.
4. Agriculture and Deforestation
Livestock farming produces methane, which has a stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide.
In addition, clearing forests for agricultural land reduces nature's ability to absorb carbon, causing atmospheric emissions to increase.
Examples of Carbon Footprints in Everyday Life
Carbon footprints are not only associated with individuals but also with products, organizations, and entire countries.
1. Product Carbon Footprints
Mobile phones, laptops, clothing, and food all have carbon footprints from the moment they are produced until they are discarded. Even using a laptop for approximately eight hours a day generates carbon emissions.
2. Personal Carbon Footprints
Using a private vehicle every day, household electricity consumption, and food choices all contribute to an individual's carbon footprint.
3. Service Carbon Footprints
Digital services such as video streaming, cloud computing, and online shopping also require data centers that consume large amounts of electricity and therefore generate carbon emissions.
4. Organizational Carbon Footprints
Companies and government institutions generate emissions from office electricity consumption, business travel, and waste management. Many companies are now beginning to adopt renewable energy to reduce their operational emissions.
5. National Carbon Footprints
Indonesia also has a national carbon footprint generated by the energy, transportation, industrial, agricultural, and land-use change sectors.
Based on the government's emissions inventory through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), the energy sector remains one of the largest contributors to national greenhouse gas emissions, followed by the forestry and land-use sectors.
The Environmental Impacts of Carbon Footprints
The higher the carbon footprint, the greater its impact on people and the environment. Some of the environmental impacts of carbon footprints include the following.
1. Ecosystem Damage
Changes in global temperatures disrupt wildlife habitats, accelerate species extinction, and cause coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures.
2. Extreme Climate Change
According to the IPCC, average global temperatures have increased by approximately 1.1°C compared with the pre-industrial era. The impacts can be seen in the increasing frequency of floods, heat waves, droughts, and increasingly extreme storms.
3. Melting Polar Ice and Rising Sea Levels
Rising global temperatures accelerate the melting of polar ice sheets. As a result, sea levels continue to rise, threatening coastal areas, including several regions in Indonesia that are vulnerable to tidal flooding.
Read Also: Biogas Is a Form of Renewable Energy: How It Works and Its Benefits
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Reducing your carbon footprint can start with simple daily habits, such as:
- Using public transportation, walking, or cycling whenever possible.
- Choosing reusable items, such as water bottles and shopping bags.
- Reducing food waste by buying and preparing only what is needed.
- Recycling and processing organic waste into compost to reduce methane emissions.
- Using LED lights, which are more energy-efficient than conventional lighting.
- Buying second-hand items that are still in good condition to reduce the demand for new production.
- Using renewable energy, such as solar panels, whenever possible.
These simple steps may seem small, but when consistently practiced by many people, they can help significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Carbon Footprints in Indonesia and TBS Energi Utama's Role in Supporting Clean Energy
Indonesia continues to face challenges in reducing carbon emissions.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) places Indonesia in the low performer category, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, climate policy, and energy use.
Nevertheless, Indonesia continues to strengthen its commitment to a cleaner energy transition, including targets for renewable energy development and reducing the use of coal-fired power plants.
One company contributing to these efforts is TBS Energi Utama through the development of various renewable energy projects in Indonesia.
In 2020, through its subsidiary PT Toba Bara Energi (TBAE), TBS Energi Utama acquired PT Adimitra Energi Hidro (AEH), which developed a 2 x 3 MW Mini-Hydropower Plant (PLTM) in Lampung.
In addition, TBS Energi Utama acquired PT Bayu Alam Sejahtera (BAS), which is exploring the potential for wind power generation in East Nusa Tenggara.
The AEH Mini-Hydropower Plant achieved Commercial Operation Date (COD) on January 22, 2025, and now supplies 6 MW of clean energy to the Southern Sumatra electricity system.
In addition to generating low-emission electricity, the project also benefits local communities through infrastructure development, improved access to electricity, and environmental conservation.
TBS Energi Utama is also developing the Tembesi Floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS) in Batam. The project achieved financial closing in 2024 and is targeted to begin commercial operations in 2026.
The floating solar power plant is expected to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, create green jobs, and further strengthen renewable energy development in Indonesia.
Through these initiatives, TBS Energi Utama demonstrates that the transition to clean energy requires collaboration among the government, businesses, and communities.
The more stakeholders contribute to reducing carbon footprints, the greater the opportunity for Indonesia to achieve sustainable development while protecting the planet for future generations.
