This sounds like it is an objective scientific fact, when at best is is a social model created from economic data. In other words it is a made up number. This is the problem with tracking CO2 emissions. No one can give an actual number because it is not being tracked scientifically. At best we have economic data that we extrapolate levels of CO2 production.

That being said, CO2 emissions are not based on consumer activity, but rather energy production. If China shuts down factories and burning coal, yes it will reduce CO2 emissions, but Western countries consumption patterns do not account for much. The focus shouldn't be on how much we consume, rather about over-production. Telling consumers to consume less isn't going to effect climate change.

The answer is to track over-production, and to reduce CO2 emissions in the production sector. Reducing consumer demand does little.