Tropical fruits in our supermarkets have travelled a long way. Neither the greenhouse gases produced during their production nor those generated during their transport play any role in the national environmental report. And the gases produced during the manufacture of a car newly registered in Austria are only counted if the car was actually produced here — which is only the case in the rarest of instances.

Conversely, the emissions from Austrian steel production are attributed entirely to Austria, even if a large proportion of the steel is exported. Even just a few examples show how calculated greenhouse gas emissions per capita differ from the actual ecological footprint — when you only measure what is released into the atmosphere within national borders.

The picture would look quite different if you were to calculate the greenhouse gases generated during the production, transport, and consumption of goods consumed here. Researchers are now carrying out exactly this kind of consumption-based calculation. What role could or should these play in policymaking in the future? The experts are also putting forward proposals on this question.

Produced by: Birgit Dalheimer

The piece will remain available on the Ö1 homepage until Tuesday, 1 August — <link https: oe1.orf.at player external-link-new-window internal link in current>to the piece (25 mins)