According to a research paper by Annika Carlsson-Kanyama and Rita Raty, men consume, on average, more energy than women in four of the countries included in the study. The researchers looked at consumption habits in 10 categories and calculated the CO2 emissions generated by each activity. This phenomenon highlights how the Gender directly influences environmental impact, with notable differences in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Men's habits: more energy and greater environmental impact
Various studies have confirmed that Men have a more energy-intensive consumption style, compared to women. This behavior is largely due to their greater use of the car, the tendency to go out to restaurants more frequently, and a greater consumption of meat, alcohol and tobacco. These habits not only increase their energy expenditure, but also contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions.
In studies conducted in countries such as Sweden, Norway, Greece and Germany, it was found that Single men consume between 6% and 39% more energy than single women, depending on the country. This data points to a gender energy consumption gap which directly affects global sustainability and adds another dimension to the discussion on gender equality.
Determining factors: transportation and food
One of the main factors behind this difference in energy consumption is the use of private transport. Men, in general, use the car more than women, both for work-related journeys and for leisure activities. According to some studies, transport accounts for up to 42% of the carbon footprint of men's daily activities. In countries like Greece, men consume up to 350% more energy in transport than women, which generates a considerable impact on the environment.
Furthermore, the meat consumption is another key factor contributing to men's greater impact. The meat production process is highly energy and emissions intensive, as livestock farming is responsible for around 18% of global CO2 emissions, according to FAO data. Men consume more meat than women, who tend to prefer more sustainable diets with a higher content of vegetables, fruits and legumes.
Furthermore, while men spend a larger part of their spending on transportation, women, for their part, They spend more energy in activities related to the food, hygiene, furniture and health. Although these categories also have an impact on the environment, their contribution to CO2 emissions is significantly lower compared to transport and meat consumption.
Gender energy gaps in European countries
The study by Carlsson and Raty specifically analyzed four countries: Sweden, Norway, Germany and Greece. According to the results, Norway shows the smallest difference between genders, with men consuming only a 6% more energy than women. On the other hand, Greece demonstrates the biggest gap, as its men consume 39% more than women. In Sweden, men spend 22% more, and in Germany, , 8%.
The general pattern is that Men have habits that consume more resources and generate more emissions than women, mainly due to the use of private vehicles and the greater consumption of products with a high carbon impact, such as meat. In contrast, women tend to make shorter journeys, use public transport more, and prefer more plant-based diets.
What can we learn from these studies?
The results of these studies reveal the Urgent need to include a gender perspective in environmental policies. Currently, it is evident that there is a gap in the way men and women impact the environment, suggesting that awareness campaigns and public policies should be targeted in a gender-specific manner. This could include improvements in public transport infrastructure, increased access to and promotion of sustainable diets, and encouraging the reduction of private vehicle use.
While the income disparity between men and women also influences these figures, the differences in the hábitos de consumo show a clear trend towards a greater environmental impact by men in virtually all relevant activities, from transport to food. Therefore, addressing this imbalance can be key to achieving sustainability goals.
Some experts suggest that instead of focusing exclusively on reducing energy consumption, a change of values that influences how men perceive their use of resources. For example, modifying the relationship that exists between social status and the use of private transport or meat consumption could be a key action to greatly reduce emissions.
In this sense, the public policies focused on changing behaviors Women must take into account how gender responsibilities are distributed in society and how each gender uses resources differently. By spending more on household products and performing more unpaid tasks, women condition their ecological footprint differently than men. This is a key point to consider when planning future policies for mitigate environmental impact.
The research also highlights another relevant concern: impact of gender differences It is not limited to resource consumption alone, but is also reflected in how people relate to environmental issues. For example, recent studies suggest that women tend to be more aware of environmental issues, which leads them to have more ethical energy-saving or consumption behaviours compared to men.
Differences in consumer behavior between men and women have important implications for the environment. While both genders can improve their habits to reduce their ecological impact, Specifically men have significant room for improvement, especially in the areas of transport and food.