Did you know that your daily routine can produce tens of kilograms of carbon dioxide? A carbon footprint is the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions that result from our lifestyle – from breakfast to transportation to your favorite evening series.

Daily carbon footprint of an ordinary Slovak - example calculation

Below we present approximate calculations of the daily carbon footprint of an individual in Slovakia according to the specified parameters. We present the division into areas housing, transport, catering, consumption, waste a leisure/servicesFor each category, we present the emission factors used and the calculation of CO₂eq/day itself.

Housing (electric home heating)

A house with three residents consumes 30 kWh of electricity per day for heating (and other household consumption). Per person, 10 kWh per day. The emission factor of Slovak electricity is currently very low – around 0.1 kg CO₂/kWh (in 2023 the emission dropped below 100 g/kWh). Calculation of emissions from electric heating:

• Consumption per person: 10 kWh/day.
• Emission factor: ≈0.10 kg CO₂/kWh.
• Calculation: 10 kWh × 0.10 kg/kWh = 1.0 kg CO₂e/day (per person).

So in total for a 3-person household, 30 kWh means ~3.0 kg CO₂e/day, which corresponds to 1.0 kg per person.

Transportation (daily commutes by car)

For 100 km of driving in a diesel SUV (8 L/100 km) we burn 8 liters of diesel per day. The emission factor of diesel combustion is approx. 2.56 kg CO₂e per liter (directly during combustion). Transport calculation:

• Driving range: 100 km/day (50 km/route × 2).
• Vehicle consumption: 8 l/100 km ⇒ 8 l per 100 km.
• Diesel emission factor: 2.56 kg CO₂e/l.
• Calculation: 8 L × 2.56 kg/l = 20.5 kg CO₂e/day.

(Note: If we also take into account the production and transportation of fuel, ~0.6 kg/l (so-called well-to-tank) is added, the resulting emission could be around 25 kg CO₂e/d.)

Meals (regular mixed diet)

A typical Slovak mixed diet (with meat and dairy products) carries a high carbon footprint. According to expert estimates, the total annual footprint of such an individual is ~2,214 kg CO₂e/year (per year). This corresponds to approximately 6.1 kg CO₂e/day. Calculation from this value:

• Annual emissions: 2,214 kg CO₂e/year (diet with daily meat consumption).
• Conversion per day: 2,214 kg/365 days ≈ 6.1 kg CO₂e/day.

(This value includes emissions from food production and transport for a typical “unhealthy” diet. For a more moderate mixed diet with fewer meat dishes, it would be slightly less (~5–6 kg/day).)

Consumption (purchases of goods and services)

For a typical consumer lifestyle – shopping for clothes, electronics, household appliances, etc. – the average carbon footprint is estimated to be ~2.0 kg CO₂e/dayThe calculation is based on the average emissions of pieces of goods:

• Clothing/textiles: ~0.6 kg CO₂e/day (purchase of clothing, linen).
• Electronics and electrical appliances: ~0.7 kg CO₂e/day (phones, computers, furniture).
• Entertainment and services (restaurants, culture, sports, internet): ~0.5 kg CO₂e/day.
• Hygiene and drugstore: ~0.2 kg CO₂e/day (cleaning agents).

The total consumption of goods and services amounts to ~2.0 kg CO₂e/day(These numbers are very individual – for example, fewer purchases or more environmentally friendly products can significantly reduce this footprint.)

Waste

The average amount of municipal waste in Slovakia (~150 kg/year per person) leads to approximately 0.4 kg CO₂e/day. It will be broken down in detail:

• Unsorted residual waste: ~0.2 kg CO₂e/day (50 % of waste).
• Recycling and processing of sorted waste: ~0.2 kg CO₂e/day (paper, glass, plastic, metal – other 50 %).
• Total: 0.4 kg CO₂e/day per person.

(The source methodology states ~0.1–0.2 t CO₂e per year/person, which is ~0.4 kg/day.)

Leisure, digital services and public services

Leisure and entertainment are included in the consumption of goods and services: restaurants, cinema, sports or the internet typically represent ~0.5 kg CO₂e/day. Digital activities (streaming, online services) consume electricity and network resources, so their emissions are already calculated with electricity (housing) and entertainment.

Public services (education, healthcare, administration) are generally not counted directly in an individual's personal daily footprint, as they are collective state expenditures. The use of infrastructure or transport is partly reflected in the above categories (e.g. travel, consumption). Therefore, we did not consider them separately.

In summary, the daily carbon footprint for the described lifestyle is around:

• Housing: ~1.0 kg CO₂e/day (person).
• Transportation: ~20.5 kg CO₂e/day (commuting diesel SUV).
• Food: ~6.1 kg CO₂e/day.
• Consumption (goods and services): ~2.0 kg CO₂e/day.
• Waste: ~0.4 kg CO₂e/day.
• Leisure/services: ~0.5 kg CO₂e/day (in entertainment).

This adds up to approximately 30–31 kg CO₂e per day. This is significantly above the average of 16–19 kg CO₂e/day for a typical Slovak, which corresponds to a very intensive daily commute (100 km SUV) and a normal consumer standard of living. However, each area can be improved in a targeted manner – e.g. by reducing car driving, switching to more efficient heating, changing diet or limiting consumption.

Sources: For the calculations, we used official or verified emission factors and data (emission factor of electricity in Slovakia, diesel combustion, food studies, household consumption and waste in Slovakia). These data will serve as an indicative understanding of which activities dominate the personal carbon footprint and where the greatest footprint reduction is possible.

Every day is an opportunity to act more sustainably. Just start with small changes – and every kilogram of CO₂ you save counts. Spring