What you
can do
Reduce your CO2 emissions
Many scientists agree that the level of CO2 in our atmosphere is getting dangerous, and that the consequent climate change effects are happening faster than anticipated. As more than 40% of the UK’s CO2 emissions result from the choices we make as individuals, we can take action on this global issue by reducing our own CO2 emissions. This feature shows you how.
The most effective action you can take
1. Fit loft insulation
Fitting loft insulation to the recommended amount (270mm) could save you up to £100 a year. Even if you already have insulation, you could still save up to £30 a year.
2. Cavity wall insulation
This can take a matter of hours to install, and could save you around £150 a year on fuel bills, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.
3. Install draught excluders
Fitting draught excluders where there are gaps could save £20 per year.
4. Windows
If your house does not yet have double glazing, installing it could save up to £80 a year.
5. Get some financial help
There may be grants and offers available to help you make your home more energy efficient.
Won’t cost you a penny – do this week!
1. Switch off appliances
Switch off appliances when not in use to save £30 per year. Leaving unused appliances on standby (which means they’re still using energy) costs around £800 million a year in the UK alone.
2. Boil as much water as you need
Only boiling as much water as you need could save you up to £25 a year (based on five kettles a day, boiling one litre more than necessary).
3. Hang out clothes to dry in good weather
Switch on the washing machine when you have a full load, and wash clothes at 30º to save energy and money.
4. Take a quick shower
Take a quick shower rather than a long bath to cut your water use in half.
5. Turn down your thermostat
Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could reduce CO2 emissions and cut your fuel bills by up to 10 per cent.
6. Try walking instead of driving
Try walking instead of driving to replace one short car journey a week. Also, follow smarter driving tips – like keeping tyres correctly inflated and changing up a gear a little earlier – to save up to a month’s worth of fuel a year.
7. Try not to waste food
Try not to waste food – the average UK household spends £424 a year on food that goes straight in the bin. Plan a menu for the days ahead, make shopping lists and use leftovers wisely.
8. Set hot water thermostat to 60ºC
Turn the thermostat down on your hot water cylinder so that it’s set at 60ºC or 140ºF and save.
9. Close the curtains
Close the curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
10. Take a home energy check
Answer some simple questions about your home and get a free, impartial report telling you how you can save up to £270 a year on your household energy bills. Or call the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012 for advice on saving energy and money in your home.
Will cost a little but you will save money almost immediately – do within the next few weeks
1. Switch to energy saving light bulbs
Replace traditional 100W light bulbs with energy saving ones and you will save up to £60 over the lifetime of the new bulb.
2. Recycle everything your local council will collect
Most recycling is free, but some bulky goods and electrical items may cost a small amount.
3. Fit insulating jacket to hot water tank
Fitting your hot water tank with an insulating jacket will only cost a few pounds and, with all the heat it traps, it pays for itself within six months. Fit one that’s at least 75mm (3 inches) thick and you could save around £30 a year. If every UK household that could fitted an adequate tank-jacket tomorrow, it would save over £132 million of energy every year.
Will involve upfront costs, but you will save money over the longer term
1. Fit energy efficient boiler
Replace a boiler (10-15 years old) with an energy efficient condensing boiler (‘A’ rated) and suitable controls (e.g. thermostats) and you could save up to £90 each year.
2. Buy energy saving appliances
Replace white goods with energy saving recommended appliances, and you could save between £5 and £20 each year.
3. Buy a fuel efficient car
Next time you buy a car, choose a more fuel-efficient model and you could save up to three months’ worth of fuel in a year.
Carbon Calculator
Find out how much carbon dioxide you create and get a simple, personalised action plan to reduce your carbon footprint.
Offsetting
Carbon offsetting allows you to compensate for your unavoidable emissions by helping fund projects that deliver an equivalent CO2 saving elsewhere.
The global effects of climate change
Around the globe climate change will affect rainfall patterns, cause snow and ice to melt and affect the intensity of extreme weather
