A review of household carbon footprint: measurement methods, evolution and emissions assessment

Abstract

The escalating concern over environmental issues stemming from global climate change is noteworthy. With the rapid pace of urbanization and industrialization, residential consumption has increasingly contributed to carbon emissions, posing an environmental challenge that demands attention. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of measurement methods, evolution, and assessment of household carbon footprints. It delves deeply into the concept of carbon footprints and measurement techniques, and examines the impacts of economic and social factors as well as consumption behaviors on household carbon footprints. The article introduces carbon footprint assessment models and tools suitable for individual up to city-level applications. It also thoroughly discusses the challenges related to data quality, model construction, and parameter selection in the assessment process, while offering insights into future research directions. By synthesizing interdisciplinary research findings, this article proposes a multidimensional and multi-level framework for assessing household carbon footprints, providing scientific guidance for policy formulation, environmental protection actions, and public participation. It aims to foster the transition of society towards a low-carbon and sustainable development model.