Drawing Analogies on Carbon Footprint of a Designed Residence and a Self Built House in an Informal Settlement

Objective

To develop an understanding of the carbon footprint of different materials and be well versed with footprint calculators.

Outcome

Students will develop a perspective on selecting building materials based on the carbon footprint. Students will also realise the climate injustice created due to high carbon emissions by a small part of the population of our society. 

Requirements

Laptop, online Carbon footprint calculator

Prerequisites

 The facilitator should be trained on using a carbon footprint calculator for building materials. Selection of two houses: formal designed house and a self-built house, having almost the same number of inhabitants and residents. 

Procedure

Step 1: List down the approximate quantity of building materials used in construction of one formally built 2 bedroom  house. (eg: Cement, Sand, iron, Fired Bricks, glass, wood, electrical equipments and electricity usage)

Step 2:  List down the approximate quantity of building materials used in construction of a house in an informal settlement with the same number of occupants.(eg: Bricks, Corrugated cement sheet, cement, sand, cement, wood, electrical equipments and electricity usage)

Step 3: Using the footprint calculator, calculate the footprint of each listed material and equipment and the total footprint for both.

Step 4: document the findings, reflect and reason on the carbon footprint values.

Step 5: Identify and document at least 3 lifestyle habits or equipment/materials of the residents of formal and informal housing that is a major contributor of carbon footprint.

References

1.https://www.footprintcalculator.org/ 

2. Carbon Footprint Reporter 

3.https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx