Climate diet calculator helps reduce carbon footprint

The renewed Climate diet calculator (Ilmastodieetti.fi) by the Finnish Environment Institute is even clearer than before in guiding people towards tangible actions to reduce the carbon footprint.

The user interface of the calculator has been redesigned and can now be used on mobile devices, as well, said the Finnish Environment Institute in a press release.

The Climate diet calculator is a tool that anyone can use to calculate their personal carbon footprint, i.e. the greenhouse gas emissions generated by housing, transport, food and the consumption of other items and services. The renewed calculator provides more tangible tips than before on how to reduce your carbon footprint by taking small and big steps alike.

“The calculator also raises awareness on how our everyday consumption and the major decisions related to it, such as housing and choice of mode of transport, are connected to the climate. Even though the calculator is focused on the personal carbon footprint, the results should also be examined from the point of view of how society at large can facilitate making changes”, said researcher Marja Salo from the Finnish Environment Institute.

Citizens are not solely responsible for reducing the carbon footprint. This is why users of the calculator should highlight issues that prevent them from carrying out climate actions in their everyday life.

“If citizens find it difficult or expensive to make choices beneficial to the environment, the government and municipalities should enable climate-friendly lifestyles through taxation, product standards, public services and town planning. Companies should also participate in the joint effort by offering products that are more eco-friendly and services that facilitate making climate-friendly choices", said Development Manager Ari Nissinen from the Finnish Environment Institute.

The Climate diet calculator is now easier to use than before. The calculator has been given a new, simplified appearance. The calculator also has a new user interface that works on mobile devices, too. Effortless use on mobile devices is important, as schools, for example, often utilise tablet computers.

The first version of the calculator was published in cooperation with the Carbon Neutral Municipalities (HINKU) project and YLE in the spring of 2010 in connection with the ‘Ilmastodieetit’ programme series. The calculation and its documentation were updated using project funding in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2019. The latest update was funded by the Ministry of the Environment.