Data and codes for household carbon footprints in developed countries

Developed countries are experienciWtrends towards childlessness and singleness, but little is known about the climate impacts of their consumption relative to this. We evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of five household groups and clarifies the climate effect of household transitions towards singleness and childlessness. We found that the trends of singleness and childlessness in developed countries challenge carbon mitigation. Although there is a sharp decrease in the GHG footprint of couple households with dependent children, the emerging single and childless households have accounted for an increasing share of GHG footprint due to their growing quantity and relatively higher GHG intensity. Reducing the GHG intensity of single and childless households is essential for the achievement of the temperature target. Climate policy makers need to fully consider these demographic trends.

发达国家正经历单身化与无子女化的人口趋势，但目前针对此类群体的消费所产生的气候影响，相关研究仍较为匮乏。本研究评估了五类家庭的温室气体（Greenhouse Gas）足迹，并阐明了家庭向单身化、无子女化转型的气候效应。研究发现，发达国家的单身化与无子女化趋势对碳减排工作构成了挑战：尽管有受抚养子女的双亲家庭的温室气体足迹大幅下降，但新兴的单身与无子女家庭，因其数量持续增长且温室气体排放强度相对更高，其在总温室气体足迹中的占比正不断攀升。降低单身与无子女家庭的温室气体排放强度，是实现温控目标的必要前提。气候政策制定者需充分考量此类人口结构变化趋势。