Why and how can you reduce your personal carbon footprint?

Interview with Roman Ledoux, Louise Badoche

In debates about the fight against climate change, the question of individual responsibility always comes up. What role do individual actions and collective efforts play? What are the accessible and effective ways to take action? How can we, as individuals, cope with the feeling that we must be perfect in our actions to combat climate change?

In France, the average carbon footprint of a French person is about 10 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, we must collectively reduce our emissions by 6% each year, year after year. And to do so, three key drivers must act simultaneously: policymakers, businesses, and individuals.

On an individual level, this means that by 2050, the average carbon footprint of a French person must be reduced to 2 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

So what can we do? Which actions within our reach have the greatest impact? What are the orders of magnitude? Is it really better to drive an electric car than a gas-powered one? Why should we reduce our meat consumption? Etc.

In 2019, Carbone 4 launched MyCO2 to address these issues, provide insights and guidance for action, and raise awareness among as many people as possible about carbon-related challenges and the changes involved in a low-carbon transition. In this episode, we discuss this with Roman Ledoux, Director of MyCO2.

To learn more about this topic:

• MyCO2 website: https://www.myco2.com/
• Average French carbon footprint: How is it calculated? https://www.carbone4.com/myco2-empreinte-moyenne-evolution-methodo
• How can we reduce our carbon footprint? France Inter answers your questions: https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/comment-reduire-notre-empreinte-carbone-france-inter-repond-a-vos-questions-3482322
• [Podcast] Climate: Can We Save the Planet Through Small Actions? https://open.spotify.com/episode/32PCkAgG03xtegBLSijxLj?si=aedabd5bc6234f53

Check out all our resources: https://www.carbone4.com/resources

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Music: César Dugast

Voice: Louise Badoche

Graphic Design: Kevyn Bargue