An innovative footprint calculator has been launched to help consumers, manufacturers and brands alike understand the climate impact of consumer goods. The Swedish Fin-Tech Doconomy has developed this tool as they join efforts with the UN Climate Change partnership to increase awareness among stakeholders of the climate impact of our actions.

To complete a product carbon footprint calculation, the user has to have production data available including the total weight of the product as well as the weight and material of each product part (or piece of packaging material), the location of each material supplier, the location of the manufacturing facility (and type of energy used) and the location of the final distribution center, including the modes of transport between them.

We have used calculator to understand the climate impact the Ugastove household dual fuel improved cook stove has during its manufacturing process. This gave a total of 8.32 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions as a carbon footprint for each household improved cook stove that is manufactured in Kampala. The good news, is that when a Ugandan household replaces a traditional cook stove appliance with this Ugastove dual fuel improved cook stove for their daily cooking activities, and average of 2,700 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are saved per year, because of the energy efficiency combustion capability.

The calculator is also linked to the UN Carbon Offset Platform, enabling the application users to take immediate climate action by contributing to green projects that are vetted by the United Nations and that work towards achieving the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.