What is the carbon footprint and how is it attached to the ecological footprint?

The carbon footprint (CF) is interpreted on two different ways.

One of the interpretations, the "superficial" one is: the carbon footprint of a population, an activity, a process or even of a product is the amount of CO2 expressed in tonnes for a reference period, calculated in annual volumes, which is necessary for the living, the activities, the processes or for producing the given product.

The other, more detailed interpretation which is also used by us is: the carbon footprint is the area – in global hectare, or if it is needed in the actual physical hectare of a country -, which is capable to assimilate the CO₂ discharge (expressed in tonnes) of a population, of a company or of an activity. From two points of view the carbon footprint makes up huge part of the ecological footprint: 1.) almost half (48%) of the ecological footprint of the population is made up by the carbon footprint; 2.) the increase of ecological footprint is caused by the increase of carbon- dioxide - id est the increase of carbon footprint- In case of a company level ecological footprint this rate is exceeding the 50 %.

Because of the above the carbon footprint calculation and analysis can be done individually, as well. To decrease the total ecological footprint the most effective tools are those measures which are aiming the decrease.