The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which for example includes carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), generated in the production chain and in our human actions. With the carbon footprint we can analyze the impacts that each service or product we consume has on the atmosphere. The carbon footprint is based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology that serves to quantify emissions from the extraction, use and end of life of a product, process or service.

To calculate how much carbon a person releases into the atmosphere, there are online calculators that do the math. Company calculations require more complex accounts, which is why there are also companies specialised in carrying out these more detailed accounts. Firstly, it is necessary to obtain data on the company's emissions sources to assign values to these sources and quantify the company's CO2 emissions. Calculations are based on the GHG protocol.

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that can trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which is a natural process that helps regulate the planet's temperature. While the greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining a habitable climate on Earth, an excess of certain greenhouse gases can lead to an enhanced greenhouse effect, resulting in global warming and climate change.

Carbon neutral means that GHG emissions are balanced with GHG removals, so that the net GHG emission is zero. This is generally achieved by offsetting GHG emissions that cannot be avoided by purchasing carbon credits, or by undertaking carbon offsetting projects such as planting trees or investing in renewable energy.

Net zero is a more ambitious goal than carbon neutrality and involves removing an equivalent amount of GHG emissions from the atmosphere that were generated. In other words, in addition to reducing emissions, it is also necessary to implement measures that remove carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation, regenerative agriculture, carbon capture and storage, among other solutions.

"Carbon neutral" is the balance between GHG emissions and removals, while "net zero" implies net-zero emissions and removing additional amounts of GHG from the atmosphere to compensate for past emissions. Both terms are important for the fight against climate change and for achieving the global emissions reduction targets needed to limit global warming and its impacts.

"Carbon negative" means that more GHGs are removed from the atmosphere than are emitted. This is achieved by reducing GHG emissions and removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This means that there is a further reduction in GHG emissions beyond equilibrium, which leads to a net reduction in the total amount of GHG in the atmosphere.

Carbon credits are the carbon trading currency and for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that is absorbed or stops being emitted, a credit is generated. CO2e is a unit that converts the global warming potential of other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into a function of CO2. In this way, it is possible to make comparisons of the potential climate impact of different gases based on CO2.