Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
CO2 emissions play a crucial role in determining the earth's climate. The indicator focuses on the contribution of households to the changes in the global climate.
How it is compiled, what data are needed
CO2 emissions per household (average/capita).
Measurements and units
CO2 emissions per household (tones per year)
Possible temporal and spatial format
graphs, trend charts, tables
Reference to methodology resources
Local Government Management Board, 1994. The Sustainability Indicators Research Project: Indicators for Local Agenda 21 - A Summary. United Kingdom.
Objective
To reduce household consumption practices causing emissions of C02.
Targets, benchmarks, reference values
No specific targets for households. The limit of CO2 emissions on a national level is regulated by the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Kyoto Protocol for countries that ratify the Protocol.
References to examples of application
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign provides examples from municipalities from around the world that are successfully reducing CO2 emissions: http://www.iclei.org/cases.htm.
Other comments / background
Scientists anticipate that climate change will detrimentally affect cities and urban areas. Regional temperature rises will foster more smog. Changes in precipitation will adversely affect urban water supplies. An increase in extreme weather events will cause damage to urban infrastructures; and sea level rise will eventually inundate infrastructures and settlements in many coastal cities (ICLEI, CCP campaign).
