Your journey to Net Zero
Understanding your carbon footprint can help limit the impact of your consumption on the environment.
Small changes can make a big difference in the long run, from transport, food, clothing and waste.
Calculate your footprint
Start by understanding your carbon footprint, the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) offers a carbon footprint calculator.
Make greener choices
Small changes can make a big difference in the long run, from transport, food, clothing and waste.
Food and drink
Changing a few eating habits can make a big impact on climate change, including reducing waste.
Learn more about your diet on the BBC climate change food calculator.
Some quick tips include:
- eating local and seasonable food
- reducing your red meat and dairy intake
- home cooking is better for you and avoids processed foods
- become smarter with your food leftovers to avoid waste
- imperfect products like wonky veg boxes
Sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion is not only the materials used, but the life-cycle including how it is produced. Fast fashion leaves a large carbon footprint, with items going to landfill.
Work is being done to improve the image of the fashion industry, but consumers can make many changes:
- Invest in long-term clothing pieces which last longer and not just fast fashion
- Try second hand shopping or swapping with friends and family
- Buy responsibly by paying attention to the label's for recycled materials
- Avoid disposing of unwanted garments, they can be sold or donated to avoid going to landfill
Smarter transport
The easiest way to reduce emissions from transport is to try and travel less in the first place, which also saves money on fuel or tickets.
- Consider if journeys by car are essential, could you travel at a off-peak time or not by vehicle at all?
- Walk, cycle or run are healthy and smarter methods of getting around, especially for journeys less than a mile.
- Join local walking clubs with friends or neighbours, many schools may also participate for children to join
- Consider the emissions of your travel including air travel, to make greener decisions.
Shopping
- Using re-usable shopping bags and avoid single use plastic
- Plan your shopping where possible to avoid multiple trips
- Eco products which are re-useable can work out cheaper long term and are more sustainable
- Transport fresh produce into containers to keep fresher for longer
Home efficiency
You can make a few small changes which make a big difference to your efficiency and bills.
- Smart devices like light bulbs and thermostats can help things be controlled centrally
- Lower water temperature of the boiler and shower by 1 degree
- Taking shorter showers to reduce water usage
- Do not overcharge items, unplug it once full charged
- Switch off your work devices like laptop chargers, lights, fans, thermostats, radiators, etc. when you leave for the day
- Switch to paperless where possible from billing, to personal printing