Very few things actually save a tonne of CO2. Here they are. Anyone can do 4 of these to save 4 tonnes. You may even be able to do all ten and so halve your CO2 emissions. Most other actions are small fry – go for the big savings to make a real difference. We don’t claim they’re all easy but they are all do-able, and frankly they are the only choices we have right now. 82 months to go!
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Action |
Notes |
CO2 Savings |
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1 |
Fly one less long haul trip |
Intercontinental |
1 tonne |
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2 |
Fly three less short haul trips |
Within Europe |
1 tonne |
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3 |
Get a better car |
A 40mpg car instead of 30mpg A 60mpg car instead of 40mpg |
1 tonne |
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4 |
Drive 3000 less miles per year |
Obvious and effective |
1 tonne |
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5 |
Have 75% of your food be UK-grown AND Seasonal
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Saves emissions from shipping, air freighting, greenhouse heating, refrigeration and packaging |
1 tonne |
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6 |
Reduce Meat and Dairy consumption by 75% |
Saves emissions from fertilisers, methane and nitrous oxide |
1 tonne |
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7 |
Give your house a Thermal Makeover |
Use your thermostats and timers effectively: 18°C and off earlier
Wash clothes on cold setting and hang out to dry
Swap appliances older than 10 years with A rated ones
Insulate your roof to 30cm
Replace an old F rated boiler with an A rated one
Install solar hot water panels
Install a chimney balloon |
0.3 tonnes
0.3 tonnes
0.3 tonnes
0.3 tonnes
0.6-1.2 tonnes
0.3 tonnes
0.25 tonnes |
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8 |
Switch your thermostat 3 degrees lower |
16°C and put on a jumper! Some determination required |
1 tonne |
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9 |
Share your house with an additional person |
Such as a friend, relative or lodger. Not for everyone, but great savings |
1 – 2 tonnes |
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10 |
Shift £2000 of spending from high carbon goods to low carbon goods and services |
For example spend on durable products, second hand goods, repairs, live entertainment, education and experiences rather than physical goods like electronics, building materials and short life products |
1 tonne |