Carbon Emission Reduction Tips

Most people don't realise that electricity is one of the biggest producers of CO2 emissions. That's because it's produced by burning fossil fuels. So each time you switch on the TV or cook a meal, you're contributing to global warming. You could switch to renewables and cut that CO2 to zero. Or try some of the tips below:

Here’s how you can reduce your CO2 emissions around the home and make the most of your budget too.

household tips | driving tips | travel tips | some figures to think about


Household tips
Carbon Neutral homes

Turn it down!
Turning your thermostat down by just 2°C you’ll cut as much as 10% off your heating bill – if you and your friends’ households all did this you could save 3.6 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Switch it off at the set!
Switching off your TV, video, DVD or stereo at the set stops the extra 10-60% electricity used by being on standby. If just 10 households switched off their TV sets properly, 1 tonne of CO2 would be saved.

Chill to perfection
Make sure your fridge and freezer run efficiently by defrosting regularly and setting to the right temperature. This will keep your CO2 emissions, and your bills, to a minimum.

Fill up your washing machine
Using full loads will keep your weekly wash number down, saving you money on water, electricity, soap, and helping the environment too.

Fit fitter light bulbs
Energy saving light bulbs will save you around £10 a year, and save the atmosphere 0.8 tonnes of CO2. (try our BioBulb)

Insulate your tank
Stop heat energy escaping by fitting a lagging jacket around your hot water tank – you’ll be amazed how much you can save.

…and your walls
Up to 35% of the heat generated in your home is lost through your walls. Installing cavity wall insulation could cut your fuel bills £70-£100 per year, and save large amounts of CO2 from escaping into the atmosphere.

…and your loft, too
Save £20-30 on your fuel bills and a tonne of CO2, by fitting 180mm of loft insulation – it will only cost you £200, but will stop the 25% of heat from your house disappearing through the roof.

Install an energy efficient boiler
If your boiler is over 15 years old it may not be energy efficient – replacing with a condensing boiler could save you money and reduce your emissions.

Try eco-friendly shopping
The lifestyle choices that you make can make a big difference to the impact you have on the environment. By being aware of how food and clothes are made and shipped you can reduce emissions - both locally and globally. If you're looking for eco or environmentally-friendly household products then visit our household shop by clicking here

Driving tips
Carbon Neutral driving

Reduce your driving emissions and the amount you spend on fuel and wear and tear on your car, by following these simple tips:

- Avoid hard acceleration
- Keep your speed down
- Only make essential car journeys
- Walk or cycle on short trips
- Share car journeys with others
- Work with your school to reduce the school run
- Make sure your car is serviced regularly
- Check your tyre pressure every week
- Travel outside the rush hour to avoid congestion
- Travel light and remove unnecessary loads and roof racks

If you have a diesel car you can use biodiesel as fuel, it does not add any carbon because it utilises the amount of carbon which naturally circulates between the atmosphere and the biosphere. Biodiesel also has the potential of being 100% carbon neutral in its lifecycle too so if you use it in your car you aren't adding to the global warming crisis. Click here to learn more about biodiesel as fuel.

Travel tips
Carbon Neutral flights

By 2020, there will be 1.56 billion tourists, double the current numbers. The Association of British Travel Agents found 85% of British tourists on package holidays believe it is important not to damage the environment. But the majority don’t do anything about it – here’s how you can reduce your emissions whilst on holiday and help prevent global warming.

- Ask for your towels to be washed every other day instead of every day (only 17% of people do this already)
- Switch off your air conditioning when you are out or if the weather does not necessarily demand it (only 18% of holiday makers do this). If just 50% of everyone staying in air-conditioned hotel rooms turned off the air conditioning for their week away – we could save more than 5 million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere*
- Hire bicycles instead of a car if you are exploring locally – it will help to burn off any holiday excesses whilst saving your carbon dioxide emissions – and your pocket

*Assumptions:
• Saving in one 50sq/m room for a week is 0.07 tonnes CO2
• Assume 780m tourists, half of which are in air-conditioned rooms
• Assume 2 people per room


some figures to think about

After efforts to reduce your carbon emissions, you can supplement your carbon footprint reduction, by purchasing carbon offsets.