Stephan Pfister, a professor of sustainability assessment, is investigating the carbon footprint of hiking—Switzerland's beloved pastime. While it seems like a eco-friendly hobby, the truth lies in the gear.

Pfister's research reveals that equipment like hiking boots, jackets, and backpacks are typically produced in Asia, and have a substantial carbon footprint. A jacket made from polyester and manufactured with coal-fired electricity generates around 30 kg of CO₂. Combined, a standard hiking kit can emit up to 121.5 kg, nearly equal to a person's carbon footprint on a flight from Zurich to Munich. 

Switzerland’s official per capita emissions are relatively low—3.7 tons annually, under the global average. But when the emissions from imported consumer goods are included, the footprint skyrockets to 13.9 tons per person. This gap stems from the fact that the Paris Agreement centers around what are called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - the greenhouse gas emissions generated within a country's borders. 

As Rahel Galliker from the Swiss environmental agency notes, these territorial figures aid global comparison, but they obscure the environmental cost of imported goods.

Stephan Pfister argues that this narrow focus allows wealthy nations to overlook their actual carbon emissions tally. He believes consumers and policymakers must take greater responsibility for emissions embedded in supply chains. While exact measurements are difficult, he says they shouldn't be dismissed.

Wearing decade-old hiking boots or choosing sustainable options are small but meaningful steps. "It’s fine to enjoy what we have,” Pfister says, “but we must be conscious, not careless, in our consumer choices."