carbon footprint

noun

: the amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period

Examples of carbon footprint in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Reducing its industrial carbon footprint will be essential to reducing its economy's carbon intensity by at least 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels) and achieving net zero by 2070. Ankit Mishra, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 It’s scheduled to start running during the middle of next year and is supposed to have the capacity to capture up to 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year for clients looking to cancel out some of their carbon footprint. Justine Calma, The Verge, 5 Sep. 2024 But the airline industry is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2024 Some environmentalists and journalists will encourage people to simply swap their beef for chicken, as chicken has a lower carbon footprint — about 10 percent that of beef’s. Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for carbon footprint 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carbon footprint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon footprint was in 1999

Dictionary Entries Near carbon footprint

Cite this Entry

“Carbon footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20footprint. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

carbon footprint

noun
: the amount of greenhouse gases and especially carbon dioxide given off by something (as a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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