Why in the news?

• Chandigarh became the first UT in the country to launch ‘Carbon Watch’ mobile application to assess the carbon footprint of an individual.
• The app has been rolled out by the Department of Environment and Forest of Chandigarh.

About Chandigarh

• Chandigarh is the joint capital of Haryana and Punjab and UT by itself. 
• Chandigarh though is a green city, which has 45% of green cover, suffers from poor air quality due to pollution from nearby states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
• It still stands among 112 Indian cities identified as Non-Attainment Cities, for not meeting the prescribed standards of air quality.

What is Carbon footprint?

• Carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases-especially carbon dioxide-released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity. 
• It can be measured as tonnes of CO2 emitted per year

How does the app work?

• • It is primarily for Chandigarh residents but can be downloaded by all. 
  • Anyone who downloads the application, they will need to fill details in four parts — Water, Energy, Waste Generation and Transport (Vehicular movement). 

• Water:  the person will be required to inform about the consumption of water.

• Energy: The details regarding the electricity units consumed every month at the house and usage of solar energy will have to be furnished.

• Waste: The individual will need to inform about the waste generation on their part and their family.

• Transport : Need to furnish the type of vehicle one possesses.

• The mobile application will automatically calculate the carbon footprint of the individual with the above information. 
• The application will also provide information such as the national and world average of the emission, and the individual’s level of emission generation.

Benefits of the application

• The mobile application will suggest methods to reduce the carbon footprints. The application will suggest ways as per the information furnished by the individuals.
• It also suggests remedial actions and sensitises people about their lifestyle emissions, their impact and possible countermeasures to mitigate the same.

References:

1. https://www.theindianwire.com/environment/carbon-watch-an-app-that-cleans-our-carbon-footprint-306195/
2. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-carbon-watch-indias-1st-app-to-assess-ones-carbon-footprint-7198710/