A supermarket is trying to reduce its carbon footprint. Describe two human activities that increase the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and explain why reducing a carbon footprint can be difficult.

AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.9.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases · Describe · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

1. Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas for electricity and transport releases large amounts of CO₂.
2. Livestock farming, especially cattle, produces methane (CH₄) through enteric fermentation.
3. Reducing a carbon footprint can be difficult because new, low‑carbon technologies are often expensive.
4. It can also be hard because many low‑carbon alternatives require large areas of land or are impractical for everyday use.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact terminology (fossil fuels, methane, CO₂).
  • Show the two activities separately and link each to the gas it increases.
  • Mention cost and land use/practicality as the two reasons.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Names one human activity that increases carbon dioxide levels
  2. Names one human activity that increases methane levels
  3. States one reason why reducing a carbon footprint can be difficult — cost
  4. States one reason why reducing a carbon footprint can be difficult — land use or practicality

Key terms in this question

carbon footprint · greenhouse gases

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