Top Tips for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Leading climate scientists are now promoting the concept that future global carbon emissions must not exceed 1500 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas in total in order to have a good chance of avoiding dangerous climate change. This recent development, which does not yet seem to have penetrated discussions of politics or policy, supersedes targets aimed at a certain carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. It is also easier to grasp.

The UK parliament passed a Climate Change Act in November 2008, creating a legally binding target to cut UK emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 with the overall aim of reducing global emissions by 50%. In July 2009 the G8 countries adopted the same targets for developed countries. However, even these targets may be insufficient and developed countries probably should be aiming at higher cuts by 2050, with significant cuts within the next few years.

No one single magic bullet will solve the problem. It is up to the human race, and people in developed countries in particular, to change their behaviours, individually and through action by governments and businesses, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even though each action on its own may only have a small impact, the sum of lots of actions by lots of people can make a real difference.

People often ask us what actions they themselves can take, so we have come up with our Top Tips for the most effective ways individuals can reduce their carbon footprint. The 10:10 campaign also has some useful suggestions.  If you represent an organisation, the Carbon Trust has some energy saving Top Tips for organisations.

In general, the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to follow these three steps in turn:

1. reduce energy consumption (this may cost nothing to do and generally saves you money)
2. use energy more efficiently (this may cost money initially but makes a bigger impact on climate change)
3. use or generate energy from renewable sources (this can be expensive but it will make the biggest impact).

We recommend that you first measure your carbon footprint, then follow the tips below to reduce it. You may already be following many of our suggestions, but we hope that you will be inspired to adopt others – we make no claim to originality! 

If you are not already a member of WinACC, please join us. 

Top Tips

Our Top Tips are designed to be read on screen. However, if you need to print a copy, please use this downloadable summary PDF. 

Electricity and Appliances

Appliances can use a surprising amount of energy when left on stand-by, so turn off appliances at the wall when not in use. When buying electrical appliances look for A-rated ones with Energy Saving Recommended labels as these consume least energy. Consider switching to a genuinely “green” electricity tariff such as Good Energy, Green Energy or Ecotricity. Read more...

Flights

Flying, for leisure or business, can easily become your biggest personal source of carbon emissions (see chart). Within the UK and the rest of Europe, why not drive or take a train or coach instead? Avoid travelling by air unless it is essential to do so. Read more...

Food

Did you know that almost a half of food in the UK is wasted from farm to fork? Because a lot of energy is invested in the production and transport of food, you can help to reduce carbon emissions by only buying enough food for your forseeable needs. Buying locally-grown food can reduce transport emissions, or you could even grow your own! Transporting bottled water uses a lot of energy, so drink tap water where possible. Rearing cattle can be greenhouse-gas intensive unless they eat grass. UK beef and lamb are most likely to be grass-fed. Read more...

Getting about and driving

Nearly a quarter of all car journeys are less than 2 miles in length. Next time you make a short journey, think whether you could walk or cycle instead. For longer journeys, where possible, use public transport to reduce your carbon emissions. If you do drive, try to share your car with others, run more than one errand at once and drive efficiently. The Energy Saving Trust has tips on driving efficiently. Read more...

Heating

Heating is the biggest source of carbon emissions for most homes, but there are easy ways to reduce the energy that you use. For example, turn down your room thermostat and wear an extra layer if necessary. Better still, by carefully managing your heating and hot-water controls, you can save even more energy and reduce your bills even further. Read more...

Keeping warm (or cool)

Around half the heat is lost from a typical home through walls, windows and roofs. As a first step to keeping the heat in, you could close your curtains at dusk in winter and stop draughts around external doors and windows. Then investigate topping up your loft insulation to 270mm (11 inches) and installing cavity-wall insulation which will help to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Call the Southampton Energy Advice Centre on 0800 512012 to ask about the grants available. If you're a tenant there are still things you can do - see http://www.1010uk.org/1010/insulation#good_to_know?utm_source=1010people&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20100226 for ideas. Read more...

Lighting

Energy-saving light bulbs use only a fifth of the energy of normal bulbs and can last ten times longer. Turning off lights in empty rooms and outside lights at bed-time saves energy too. Read more...

Reduce, re-use, recycle

Energy has been used to make and transport every item that we buy. By reducing the amount we consume, or buying second-hand, we can reduce our carbon footprint. Try to repair things rather than replace them, and give away or sell things you no longer need. Read more...

Water

Rain water is free but energy is spent on making it fit to drink, piping it to our homes, heating it, and disposing of it afterwards. You can save water and energy by taking (non-power) showers instead of baths and only using your washing machine and dishwasher when full. Ask Southern Water (01903 264 444) to fit a free water meter so you can see how much you’re using. Read more...

Your influence

You can do even more to reduce climate change by encouraging others to follow your example. Also, in today’s consumer-driven society, every purchasing decision you make influences the manufacturer and retailer, so buy green products and support businesses that are trying to reduce their carbon footprints. We are all citizens as well as consumers, so you might decide it is time to get more involved in political campaigning. Lobby for a climate change policy at your workplace, school or college, or join a campaigning environmental group. Read more...

If you would like to give feedback on this site, or have any suggestions for improvement, please contact us or post a comment here. We are particularly keen to hear about other organisations and initiatives in and around Winchester which can help people reduce their carbon footprints.