How to reduce your carbon footprint at home with small changes

Since 2010, the average carbon footprint per person in Spain has fallen by around 20%. However, it is still possible to reduce one’s ecological footprint much further by making simple changes to household routines. 

Reducing the ecological footprint by emission type 

Households mainly produce two types of emissions: 

• Direct emissions: the use of heating and cooling systems and the use of fuels (e.g. gas, butane or propane) for cooking or heating water. These account for around 30% of a household’s carbon footprint. 
• Indirect emissions: electricity consumption, consumption of goods and products (clothing, furniture, electronics, etc.), food and home maintenance. These account for around 70% of a household’s carbon emissions. 

The answer to how households can reduce their ecological footprint is simple: by taking direct action on these two types of emissions. 

Tips to reduce carbon footprint at home 

To reduce a household’s environmental footprint, it is essential to approach the issue from multiple angles. The good news? There is no need to make radical changes. In fact, small changes to a few everyday habits can already have a significant impact on a home’s direct and indirect emissions. 

• Electricity consumption: use LED bulbs throughout the home, adjust the thermostat settings (to around 21°C in winter and around 25°C in summer). 
• Water consumption: use eco-friendly settings on appliances such as the washing machine or dishwasher, keep showers to 7 minutes, turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth and reuse clean water for other purposes (e.g. watering plants). 
• Food: avoid products packaged in plastic, use reusable bags at the supermarket, avoid food waste, compost (where possible), and buy local and seasonal produce. 
• Other habits: wash clothes in cold water, sort waste properly to facilitate recycling, repair items before throwing them away to buy something new, prioritise buying versatile products or those that guarantee long-term use.