Your Carbon Footprint

You can calculate your carbon footprint using our footprint tool (download below). Or, if you want comprehensive interactivity you can sign up to use our WeSave tool (see next page for more details).

Alternatively you might like to visit the Government's ActOnCO2 website for an overview and feedback on how to reduce your footprint - www.actonco2.org.uk

Carbon footprints are quite simply a measure of carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂) over the course of a year. These emissions come from things like burning petrol or diesel in our cars and trucks, using electricity made in coal or gas fired power stations and using gas, oil or coal to heat our buildings.

A carbon footprint can be calculated for almost anything, for example, a country, a building, an organisation, a household or an individual. Calculating a carbon footprint is often the first step in attempts to reduce CO₂ emissions. By knowing what your baseline is, you are well equipped to plan out how to reduce it.

The challenge ahead

Domestic CO₂ emissions make up about 40%, of the UK total. The size of household carbon footprints can be greatly variable however. While the average is about 10 tonnes, the highest emitting households produce 60% more carbon than the lowest. This variation is caused by lifestyle and technology choices. The decisions we make can also influence emissions from transport and industrial activities.