European Commission to use mobile phones to track carbon footprints

Scientists at the European Commission have launched a mobile application that uses mobile phones to track users' carbon footprints.

The new application, mobGAS, allows users to see how their daily choices impact climate change in terms of the major greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. It was developed by scientists at the EC's Joint Research Centre.

Information about everyday activities is put into the application, and calculations are then made of individual emissions. A diary of daily, weekly and yearly emissions can be registered on a secure website so comparisons can be made with national and world averages.

The EC hopes using the application on a mobile phone will make it convenient for people to input daily information, which includes data on everything from what they ate to which means of transport they used.

The technology can be downloaded free of charge, and communication networks and mobile phone producers will also help roll it out.