Investigation of Low-carbon Lifestyles Based on Direct/Indirect Residential CO₂ Emissions

Abstract

Many studies have investigated solutions for achieving low-carbon and energy-saving lifestyles. However, most of these studies focused on the living environment, use of air-conditioning and hot-water supply, and transportation methods. However, because the industrial sector generates higher CO₂ emissions compared to the residential, commercial, and transportation sectors, it is important to convert the current wasteful lifestyle that reinforces mass-production and mass-consumption to a low-carbon lifestyle. The basic focus of this research was to estimate the CO₂ emissions from household consumptions based on national statistics, such as the family income and expenditure survey, and the national survey of family income and expenditure. The results of comparing CO₂ emissions according to household attributes indicated that there is a large potential for reductions, especially in indirect CO₂ emissions, through change in consumer lifestyle.