Sustainable lifestyle: Quantification and determining factors analysis of household carbon footprints in Japan

Household consumption acts as a critical driver of socio-economic development. However, escalating consumption needs, propelled by rising living standards, underscore the urgency of transitioning to low-carbon household consumption patterns. The environmental footprint of households extends beyond direct emissions from domestic energy use; it encompasses indirect impacts across the lifecycle of various products and services. This reality necessitates adopting a comprehensive approach to evaluate these impacts. Here, we fill a gap in existing research by leveraging Japan, 2010 National Consumption Survey data, examining a sample of 17,733 households to discern key factors contributing to higher carbon footprints. Through the Embodied Energy and Emission Intensity Data for Japan Using Input-Output Tables (3EID), we conducted a detailed analysis of carbon footprints in multiple expenditure categories, revealing that energy consumption, particularly electricity, is the primary driver of household carbon emissions, closely followed by the food sector, including grains, aquatic products, meats, and dairy. Our findings indicate a direct correlation between household income and carbon footprint, revealing that lifestyle divergences, such as transport, meat, and dining out, explain for variations in emissions. These insights provide the basis for developing targeted strategies aimed at household decarbonization, thereby contributing to sustainable and environmentally responsible consumption patterns. •Energy use and food consumption lead household carbon footprints in Japan.•Reveal correlations between carbon footprints, income, age, and urban residency.•Residents in metropolitan areas exhibit lower emissions from transportation.•Targeted sustainable measures can reduce emissions from high-income groups.