Hungary

Families of Pécs committed to a sustainable lifestyle

In 2021, the GreenDependent Institute, in cooperation with the Pécsimami Association, calculated the carbon footprint of 21 households around Pécs based on a survey to demonstrate how lifestyle changes can reduce the carbon footprint of households. The program was supported by Daikin Hungary.

The main goal of the initiative was to raise the awareness among households on their carbon footprint based on their lifestyle. Additionally, it opened the participants' eyes for new reduction opportunities and how they can choose a more climate-conscious way of living. 

First results were promising: The average carbon footprint per capita of the families was 2.74 t CO₂ for 2020 which shows that it is possible to live on a lower carbon footprint than an average annual footprint of 6.2 t CO₂e / capita. In the light of this, the Paris Agreement target of 2-2.5 t CO₂e / capita / year by 2030 appears realistic, if further reductions are implemented and the low-carbon footprint lifestyle becomes the better choice for people.

You want to learn more about the results? Go to Daikin Hungary's Youtube channel (in Hungarian language) and watch the recording of an event in October 2021 where concrete ideas of carbon footprint reduction through behaviour change, retrofits and technology were discussed.

After a short report on the carbon footprint calculation of the GreenDependent Institute in November, the participating households and representatives of Daikin Hungary wanted to take a joint action and planted native fruit trees organized by Pécsmami Association. Through this symbolic act, the participants indicated that we all have a responsibility for our lifestyle and for reducing our carbon footprint in order to limit global warming to the 1.5 °C, set in the Paris Agreement. Thereby, the families are role models for other communities and households.

Partners of the initiative

• Pécsimami Association provides families that are living in Pécs and county Baranya with news and information.
• The mission of the GreenDependent Institute is to research, develop and disseminate sustainable lifestyles, methods and consumption patterns. Their most important target group are citizens. Lately the calculation of carbon footprints and offsetting possibilities including tree plantings have gained more attention.
• Globally, Daikin aims to provide safe and healthy air environments while striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 e. g. by circular economy programs. Furthermore, Daikin is grateful to support awareness-raising initiatives like this that focus on individual decisions that help protecting the environment.

Project period: 2020-2021