Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Climate change is a serious problem that affects us all. There is strong evidence that human emissions of greenhouse gases are changing the world's climate. The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), produced when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas for energy.

Over 40 per cent of CO2 emissions in the UK come directly from what we do as individuals; for example, heating and using electricity in our homes - and driving vehicles. Flights are the next biggest source of individuals’ CO2 emissions.

There are many ways the Government is planning to help you act on reducing CO2 emissions - now and in the future. This means working in partnership with businesses, organisations and manufacturers. These include:

Home and housing

* Working with manufacturers and retailers to phase out inefficient light bulbs
* Providing better information to consumers about the products and services they buy and use – including gas, electricity and water
* Working with manufacturers to remove inefficient ‘white goods’ – such as fridges - from the market
* Encouraging developers to build in good access to public transport when they are planning new homes
* Improving building regulations to make new homes more energy efficient
* Introducing Energy Performance Certificates so that when you buy a house you have more information about how energy efficient it is

The Government is also thinking about ideas such as allowing householders to fit renewable technologies such as solar panels without the need for planning permission.

Travel and transport

* Providing more train carriages where they are most needed
* Improving vehicle fuel efficiency - for example by linking car tax rates to car fuel efficiency
* Encouraging and supporting workplace or school travel plans and cycle training for children

Community, business and environment

* Increasing recycling facilities at the kerbside, in the office and in public places
* Working with the regulator to set targets for water companies to reduce leakage from their networks
* Reduce packaging and encourage single-use shopping bags

Calculate your carbon footprint!

Calculate your carbon footprint using Directgov's interactive tool at:
http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html

Let's get going

If you want to find out about more ways to reduce your CO2 emissions, have a look at the Government’s quick guide to greener living and what you can do.


Doing our bit to help

Working with professional partners in the insulation industry across the country, Home Energy Saver has helped more than 8,000 householders during the past 6 months reduce their carbon footprint.

Some 6,883 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be saved through loft insulations, and 3,374 tonnes saved through cavity wall insulation. In total, a mighty 10,257 tonnes will be saved by these householders over the year.

Each week these figures grow as more and more people look at ways they to can cut their carbon emissions by being more energy efficient… and reducing their energy bills at the same time! For more about insulating your home click here.

Our Green Glossary

Carbon Footprint – the amount of CO2 (carbon dioxide) each of us produces.

Carbon Neutral – Cancelling out our carbon footprint by adopting eco-friendly schemes.

Greenhouse Effect – Heat produced by gasses becomes trapped in the earth’s atmosphere.

Kyoto Protocol – The 2005 international agreement to reduce CO2 emissions.

Biofuels – fuel created from plants.

Fossil Fuels – oil, gas and coal.

Hydroelectric – energy/electricity from water power.

Geothermal – energy/heat from the earth.

Renewables – energy from natural resources, ie, wind, sun, water, etc.

Desalination – removing the salt from sea water.

Hybrid Car – power from a combination of fuel and electricity.