Mapping Inequalities in Activity-based Carbon Footprints of Urban Dwellers using Fine-grained Human Trajectory Data

Abstract: Effective climate mitigation strategies in cities rely on understanding and mapping urban carbon footprints. One significant source of carbon is a product of lifestyle choices and travel behaviors of urban residents. Although previous research addressed consumption- and home-related footprints, activity-based footprints of urban dwellers have garnered less attention. This study relies on deidentified human trajectory data from 5 million devices to examine the activity-based carbon footprint in Harris County, Texas. Our analysis of the heterogeneity of footprints based on places visited and distance traveled reveals significant inequality: 10% of users account for 88% of visitation-based footprints and 71% of distance-traveled footprints. We also identify the influence of income on activity-based carbon footprint gap of users related to their travel behavior and lifestyle choices, with high-income users having larger footprints due to lifestyle choices, while low- to medium-income users' footprints are due to limited access. Our findings underscore the need for urban design adjustments to reduce carbon-intensive behaviors and to improve facility distribution. Our conclusions highlight the importance of addressing urban design parameters that shape carbon-intensive lifestyle choices and facility distribution, decisions which have implications for developing interventions to reduce carbon footprints caused by human activities.