About
ACT ON CO2
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the ACT ON CO2 campaign
- I am interested in using the ACT ON CO2 campaign brand and logo. How is this done?
- Can I link to the ACT ON CO2 website?
- Can ACT ON CO2 link to my website?
- When was the campaign launched?
- What is the campaign based on?
- Who is involved in the campaign?
- How can I obtain ACT ON CO2 promotional items?
- I’ve got an event or speaking engagement that someone from ACT ON CO2 could be involved in. How can I find out if someone from the ACT ON CO2 team can attend?
- I’m interested in partnering with the ACT ON CO2 campaign to help spread the message about the importance of carbon reduction. How is this done?
Questions about climate change
- What is the government doing about climate change?
- How can I find out more about Copenhagen?
- What is causing climate change?
- What will happen if we don’t do anything about climate change?
- What is the Climate Change Levy?
Questions about reducing your CO2
- What can I do to help reduce my carbon footprint?
- Where can I find more information on energy saving products?
- Where can I find more information on energy ratings or usage rates for specific products or services?
- Where can I find more information on energy saving grants and offsets to help me, for example, insulate my home?
- Where can I find out more about energy saving initiatives in my local area?
- I would like my energy saving product or service linked to from the ACT ON CO2 website. Is this possible?
- I want to help my business cut energy costs and be more energy efficient. Who can I talk to?
- How can I help my business reduce costs and CO2 emissions from transport?
- How can I find the CO2 emissions of my current car?
- How can I find the CO2 emissions of a new car?
- How can I find and compare the CO2 emissions from new vans?
- How can I plan a journey to a specific destination and compare CO2 emissions from different methods of travel?
- My car has been converted to liquid petroleum gas (LPG) - does this affect the tax I pay?
- Where can I find information about the Vehicle Scrappage Scheme?
Questions about the ACT ON CO2 campaign
1. I am interested in using the ACT ON CO2 campaign brand and logo. How is this done?
ACT ON CO2 has developed a toolkit which is a step by step guide on how to use the ACT ON CO2 brand. It includes campaign assets such as logo, artwork, information on the campaign exhibition stands and research, how to host an ACT ON CO2 event, key messages, and other information such as audience insights and what other government departments are doing.
2. Can I link to the ACT ON CO2 website?
You can support ACT ON CO2 by placing one of our campaign buttons on your website. To view the buttons visit the 'Support us online' page. Please contact us to say which button you're using and where.
3. Can ACT ON CO2 link to my website?
ACT ON CO2 does not link to commercial websites. If your site is non-commercial, please contact us about establishing a hyperlink.;
4. When was the campaign launched?
Launched in 2007, ACT ON CO2 is a behaviour change campaign that seeks to engage the public on climate change issues and encourage them to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
5. What is the campaign based on?
The campaign is based on research which showed, that despite being aware of climate change people are not always sure about what they can do to make a difference and the relative impact of different actions on reducing their carbon emissions. The campaign therefore, has action at the heart of its brand: by providing specific, simple and clear actions, it endeavours to inspire people that they can make a difference and reduce their carbon footprint.
6. Who is involved in the campaign?
As a cross government brand, ACT ON CO2 seeks to cut through the cluttered landscape of climate change communications and address the confusion that surrounds the issue by providing clear, correct, consistent information and government leadership on the issue. To date, government departments and government funded bodies have taken up the campaign branding including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Transport’s (DfT), and it is their investment in public engagement campaigns that has made ACT ON CO2 a significant and high profile brand. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) are also currently developing plans for the next phase of the campaign. Government funded bodies such as the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust are also involved. ACT ON CO2 also has a number of campaign partners who have signed on to help spread the word about what people can do to decrease their CO2 emissions.
7. How can I obtain ACT ON CO2 promotional items?
Unfortunately we are unable to provide promotional material to businesses and the general public. However, we are able to provide local authorities with a limited amount of material dependent on whether the material will be used directly for climate change events. Please use the toolkit to determine whether you are eligible for promotional material and how to order items.
8. I’ve got an event or speaking engagement that someone from ACT ON CO2 could be involved in. How can I find out if someone from the ACT ON CO2 team can attend?
Please contact ACT ON CO2 in order to discuss the event or speaking engagement and whether it is appropriate for someone from ACT ON CO2 to attend or speak.
9. I’m interested in partnering with the ACT ON CO2 campaign to help spread the message about the importance of carbon reduction. How is this done?
As part of the campaign, we are aiming to develop consumer-facing partnership activities with relevant organisations so that together we can encourage consumers to reduce their CO2 emissions. Working with brand partners helps to deliver the message in a way that is relevant to the audience, action focused and, above all, trusted. If you wish to be involved there are a number of criteria your organisation has to meet. For further information please visit the brand partnership page.
Questions about climate change
10. What is the government doing about climate change?
Internationally the government is committed to ensuring the UK leads the way to decrease the effects of CO2 on our environment. From 7-18 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark will be hosting the UN’s 15th global Climate Change Conference (COP15) will be taking place in Copenhagen where 180 countries will meet to work out a new international deal to tackle climate change. The UK government believes this is the best opportunity to set an ambitious target for CO2 reduction.
While the government is serious about acting on climate change, industry and the community will need to get involved in order for the government to succeed in reaching its agreed target reductions of 34% by 2030 and at least 80% by 2050. There are a number of initiatives which assist the public sector, businesses and individuals in reducing their CO2 emissions through grants, energy saving tips and advice on energy saving products.
Building on the UK government's extensive programme to reduce CO2, developed over recent years; it is taking action on five fronts:
- Protecting the public from immediate risk
Climate change is already happening in the UK – the 10 hottest years on record have all been since 1990, the south and south east of England are short of water, and we have seen increased incidents of flooding. The government has more than doubled spending on flood protection since 1997, developed a heat wave plan in the NHS and is helping communities affected by coastal erosion. On 26 June, Defra announced its coastal management policy and the Environment Agency will be setting out its investment priorities on flood protection up to 2035.
- Preparing for the future
Whatever is done to reduce emissions in the future, past emissions mean that some climate change is already inevitable. Defra’s UK Climate Projections published on 26 June will be used to help plan for a future with a changing climate. It’s planned that 103 providers of important public services will be required to report on their assessment of climate risks and their plans to respond to these. Government Departments will also be producing Adaptation Plans by April 2010. Factoring climate risk into decision making means, for example, changing the way we build our houses and infrastructure, managing water better and adjusting farming practices.
- Limiting the severity of future climate change through a new international climate agreement
To limit global temperature increases and avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change, the government is leading international efforts to achieve a new international climate agreement at Copenhagen in December. We must ensure global emissions start to fall within the next decade and be at least 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.
- Building a low carbon UK
To play our part in reducing global emissions, Britain needs to become a low carbon country. The 2008 Climate Change Act made Britain the first country in the world to set legally binding ‘carbon budgets’, aiming to cut UK emissions by 34% by 2020 and at least 80% by 2050 through investment in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies such as renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage. On 15 July 2009 the government published the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan which plots out how the UK will meet the cut in emissions set out in the budget of 34% on 1990 levels by 2020.
- Supporting individuals, communities and businesses so they can play their part
Everyone has a role to play in tackling climate change, from reducing their own emissions to planning for adaptation. Building on our ACT ON CO2 information campaign, the government is providing a range of support for individuals, communities and businesses, including a major programme of financial help for home insulation and energy efficiency. Find out about this financial help by calling the ACT ON CO2 advice line 0800 512 012 or visiting the website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
11. How can I find out more about Copenhagen?
There is a dedicated website about Copenhagen and the developments leading up to the meeting in December. To find out more visit www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk.
12. What is causing climate change?
Human activity has caused global warming. That is the overwhelming verdict of the UN climate change panel, made up of 150 scientists from 130 countries. They say the temperature increases in recent years cannot be explained by natural factors alone. The Met Office has released a publication on the future predictions of climate change.
Greenhouse gases are causing climate change by trapping the earth’s heat before it can escape into space. The biggest culprit of all this is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have risen by 40% since the Industrial Revolution. Temperatures have risen alongside the increased levels of carbon dioxide since the 19th century.
13. What will happen if we don’t do anything about climate change?
If we do nothing, scientists predict that global warming will cause potentially catastrophic changes in the world around us over the course of the century, including:
Extreme weather: summer temperatures as experienced in 2003 – a record breaking heat wave in Europe which killed 35,000 people – could become the norm.
Sea level rise: steep increases in global sea levels will cause severe flooding in many countries. In Asia, 94 million people could be left homeless, leading to large-scale migration.
Water shortages: glaciers could shrink by almost two-thirds, and the rivers they feed could start to dry up. This would affect drinking water supplies for around a sixth of the world’s population, not to mention the effect on farming and food supply.
Food shortages: drought in parts of Africa could reduce harvests by 50% by 2020.
Extinctions: up to a third of known plant and animal species will be at risk of extinction. Entire natural environments – like coral reefs and rainforests – would be under threat.
There are alarming signs that these changes are already well underway. Storms, floods and droughts are happening more often and with greater intensity, while Arctic summer ice is melting faster than previously predicted. The thing is, if we all band together – government, industry and the community – we can make a difference and stop these things becoming a reality. To learn more about what you can do go to ACT ON CO2 calculator.
14. What is the Climate Change Levy?
The Climate Change Levy (CCL) was introduced by the government in April 2001 to support the Kyoto Commitment, affecting all non-domestic energy users in the UK. CCL is charged on energy used, and is aimed at reducing energy consumption and thus reducing the negative impact that our energy use has on the environment. To find out more about the CCL, contact the Carbon Trust or call them on 0800 085 2005.
Questions about reducing your CO2
15. What can I do to help reduce my carbon footprint?
ACT ON CO2 has developed the ACT ON CO2 Calculator which can guide you in how to reduce your carbon footprint. It takes approximately seven minutes of your time and at the end you’ll receive a personalised carbon action plan which you can complete to reduce your personal carbon emissions. For more in-depth information about the Carbon Calculator please email calculator.feedback@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
16. Where can I find more information on energy saving products?
Contact the Energy Saving Trust for free advice on energy savings appliances. Please contact the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012 or visit the website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
17. Where can I find more information on energy ratings or usage rates for specific products or services?
Contact the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012 or visit the website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for free advice on energy ratings and usage rates.
18. Where can I find more information on energy saving grants and offsets to help me, for example, insulate my home?
Contact the ACT ON CO2 advice line for information on energy saving grants or schemes in your local area. Please contact them on 0800 512 012 or visit the website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
19. Where can I find out more about energy saving initiatives in my local area?
Each local council runs their own energy saving initiatives. To find out about what’s going on in your local area, please contact your local council directly.
20. I would like my energy saving product or service linked to from the ACT ON CO2 website. Is this possible?
DECC does not endorse any products or services on its website. However, you may wish to talk to the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012 who might be able to assist you with your request or visit the website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
21. I want to help my business cut energy costs and be more energy efficient. Who can I talk to?
The UK government has many initiatives to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and save money. Please view the Carbon Trust website on www.carbontrust.co.uk or call 0800 085 2005 for advice on how to help your business.
22. How can I help my business reduce costs and CO2 emissions from transport?
The Department for Transport (DfT) funds a number of free programmes and services to help organisations identify where costs and emissions can be reduced from work related travel (business and commuter journeys), fleet and freight operations. You can find an overview of these services on the DfT website.
23. How can I find the CO2 emissions of my current car?
To find the CO2 emissions of your current car when it was first registered visit the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website. Select the 'Vehicle Enquiry' option in the left hand menu.
24. How can I find the CO2 emissions of a new car?
To compare CO2 emissions and annual running costs on all current editions of each make and model of new cars use the new car CO2 emissions comparison tools on this site.
25. How can I find and compare the CO2 emissions from new vans?
The VCA have launched an online database, with support from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders the Department for Transport, to help van buyers compare the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of new vans. The Van Fuel Data site can be accessed on the Business Link website alongside guidance to help van buyers choose the right van for their needs.
26. How can I plan a journey to a specific destination and compare CO2 emissions from different methods of travel?
The Transport Direct website, can help make journey planning easier. This is a free website that compares door to door journey by public transport and car to any destination in Great Britain. This includes details on times, route plans, costs and CO2 emissions depending on the time of day, mode of transport and number of car passengers. Transport Direct also has live travel information which can advise you of events that can affect or delay journeys, such as traffic accidents, severe weather warnings or emergency road works.
27. My car has been converted to liquid petroleum gas (LPG) - does this affect the tax I pay?
The government offers tax-breaks for converting your vehicle to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The take up of LPG is supported through a Fuel Duty differential, which means that a lower rate of taxation is paid on this fuel. The difference in the level of Fuel Duty between LPG and petrol is currently equivalent, in energy terms, to a saving of approximately thirty-seven pence on a litre of ordinary unleaded petrol. For further information please see the UKLPG website.
Also, for cars registered since March 2001 and constructed or converted to run on LPG, there’s a small reduction in the rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (also known as "road tax"). This reduction is worth £10 from next year, remembering that the lower the car’s certified CO2 emissions figure, the lower the applicable Vehicle Excise Duty rate is to begin with. In order to take advantage of this, you need to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that your vehicle has been properly converted by emailing them at: vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk. The DVLA will then make the appropriate VED adjustments.
28. Where can I find information about the Vehicle Scrappage Scheme?
The Chancellor announced in the Budget on 22nd April 2009, a voluntary discount scheme under which motor dealers will give motorists £2,000 or more towards a new vehicle if they trade in a car or van over 10 years old for scrap. Enquiries regarding the Vehicle Scrappage Scheme can be made to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) by calling them on 020 7215 5000 or emailing them at scrappage@bis.gsi.gov.uk.
