carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, emitted by a person, organization, or activity.
writing-task-1Environment
IELTS use
Frequently appears in task 1 to discuss emissions data and efforts to reduce climate impact.
Examples
- The graph compares the carbon footprint of various household activities.
- Between 2000 and 2020, the average carbon footprint per person decreased by 15%.
- Transportation accounts for a large portion of the carbon footprint shown in the pie chart.
- Countries with higher incomes tend to have a larger carbon footprint.
Collocations
- reduce the carbon footprint
- Many nations aim to reduce their carbon footprint through renewable energy.
- carbon footprint per capita
- The table displays carbon footprint per capita for five countries.
- average carbon footprint
- The average carbon footprint in developing nations is lower.
- offset the carbon footprint
- Some companies offset their carbon footprint by planting trees.
Word family
- Noun
- footprint
- Adjective
- carbon-neutral
Paraphrases
- greenhouse gas emissions: Broader term; suitable when data includes multiple gases.
- CO2 emissions: More specific; useful when carbon dioxide is the main focus.
- personal emissions level: Alternative for describing individual contributions.
Common mistakes
- carbon foot print to carbon footprint. It is a compound noun written as one word or sometimes 'carbon footprint' but never 'foot print'.
- the carbon footprint is high to the carbon footprint is large. 'Large' is more idiomatic with 'carbon footprint' than 'high' in academic contexts.
- reduce carbon foot print to reduce the carbon footprint. Missing article and incorrect spacing.