How to reduce your carbon footprint

What does carbon footprint mean

Your carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), that are emitted directly or indirectly as a result of your lifestyle choices and activities. This includes food production, waste generation, electricity consumption and transportation.

Every human activity, from driving a car to heating your home, has associated carbon emissions. These emissions contribute to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.

Carbon footprints are usually measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), which aggregates the emissions of various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential.

Carbon footprint and climate change

When we talk about carbon footprints and climate change, we’re looking at how the things we do affect the Earth’s climate. A carbon footprint is like a measure of all the gases – mainly CO2 – that come from what we do and how we live. These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise. We call this global warming.

Every time we drive a car or put the heating on, we release these gases into the air. Over time, they build up and create a sort of ‘blanket’ around the Earth, trapping heat and causing the planet to get warmer. This leads to rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns, and other harmful effects on wildlife and the environment.

By understanding how our actions directly contribute to our carbon footprint, we can take steps to reduce it. This might mean using energy more efficiently, choosing renewable energy sources like solar power, or finding ways to cut down on waste. By reducing our carbon footprint, we can help slow down climate change and protect the planet for future generations.

Carbon footprint and sustainability

Your carbon footprint is closely linked to sustainability: the idea that we should meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. When we talk about sustainability, we’re thinking about how we can live our lives in a way that doesn’t harm the environment or use up Earth’s resources too quickly.

Reducing our carbon footprint is a huge part of living sustainably, because it means using fewer resources and producing less pollution. By using energy more efficiently, choosing renewables, and making smart choices about our consumption and transportation, we can lessen our impact on the planet and create a more sustainable future.

When we think about our carbon footprint and sustainability, we’re thinking about the kind of world we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. By taking small steps to reduce our carbon footprint and live more sustainably, we can make a huge difference for the health of the planet and all who call it home.

What should my carbon footprint be?

Ideally, your carbon footprint should be low enough to align with global climate goals, such as limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This means reducing emissions to a level that allows the Earth’s natural systems to absorb them, without causing harmful effects on the climate.

Your carbon footprint is usually measured in tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per person per year. In 2023, the UK average was around 10 tonnes.

Experts recommend aiming for a significantly lower carbon footprint to support environmental sustainability, and to help combat climate change. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to what your carbon footprint should be, but aiming for a low and sustainable level of emissions is essential for protecting the planet.

Can I measure my carbon footprint?

Yes. There are online calculators available, such as this one from the WWF. These tools are designed to estimate the amount of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, emitted as a result of your lifestyle choices and activities.

By measuring your carbon footprint, you can gain insights into the environmental impact of your lifestyle and identify opportunities to reduce emissions and live more sustainably.

Can I reduce my carbon footprint?

Yes, you can reduce your carbon footprint by adopting sustainable practises and making environmentally conscious decisions in your daily life.

How can I reduce my carbon footprint?

• Improve your home’s energy efficiency
  Insulating walls and roofs, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and installing double glazed windows are just some ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home.
• Switch to renewable energy
  Switching to renewable energy sources by installing solar PV panels to generate electricity for your home. If this isn’t a feasible option for your home, consider purchasing green energy tariffs from renewable energy suppliers.
• Transportation
  Opting for sustainable transportation options such as walking, cycling, using public transportation, or carpooling can reduce emissions from cars and other vehicles. If you have to drive, consider switching to electric or hybrid vehicles to lower carbon emissions.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
  Minimise your waste by reducing consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials such as paper, glass, plastic, and metal. Compost your organic waste to divert it from landfills and reduce methane emissions.
• Sustainable diet
  Choosing plant-based foods, locally sourced and seasonal produce can reduce the carbon footprint of your diet. Minimise food waste by planning meals, buying only what you need, and storing food properly.
• Upgrade your home heating system
  Inefficient home heating systems generate a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrading to energy efficient, electric heating systems can help to reduce your carbon footprint, especially when powered by renewable energy sources. Our ELKATHERM® electric radiators boast a German A++ energy efficiency rating, helping you to heat your home stylishly and sustainably.
• Heat water efficiently
  Sunamp heat batteries can help you reduce your carbon footprint by heating water only when you need it. Hot water, at mains pressure, throughout the house. Sunamp units pair beautifully with renewable energy sources, such as solar PV, to further reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions.

How do heating systems add to my carbon footprint

Heating accounts for a substantial portion of UK household energy usage and carbon emissions.

• Fossil fuel combustion
  Many heating systems in the UK rely on fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil, and coal. When these fuels are burned to generate heat, they release CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
• Energy efficiency
  Older or more inefficient heating systems can consume more energy to produce the same level of heat compared to modern, energy efficient alternatives. Inefficient heating systems not only result in higher energy bills, but also increase carbon emissions by requiring more fossil fuels to meet heating demands.
• Space heating
  Space heating accounts for the largest share of energy consumption in most UK homes, especially during the colder months. Inefficient insulation, draughts, and an outdated heating system can lead to heat loss, meaning your home needs to use more energy to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Hot water
  Traditional hot water tanks or boilers powered by fossil fuels contribute to carbon emissions.

To reduce your carbon footprint from your home heating system, consider upgrading to ELKATHERM® German A++ energy rated electric radiators and a Sunamp heat battery for hot water. Improving insulation and sealing any draughts can also help minimise your energy consumption and carbon emissions from heating.

What is carbon neutral electricity

Carbon neutral electricity means electricity generated using renewable energy sources.

• Renewable energy sources
  Carbon neutral electricity is often generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar. Unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which release CO2 and other greenhouse gases when burned, renewable energy sources produce little to no carbon emissions during electricity generation. This means that electricity generated from renewable sources has a minimal carbon footprint.
• Carbon offsetting
  In cases where electricity generation still produces carbon emissions, some carbon neutral electricity providers will offset these emissions by investing in projects that remove or reduce an equivalent amount of CO2 from the atmosphere. These projects could include reforestation and renewable energy projects. By offsetting carbon emissions through these projects, the net carbon impact of electricity generation is reduced to zero, making it carbon neutral.
• Environmental benefits
  Choosing carbon neutral electricity helps to mitigate the environmental impact of environmental impact of electricity consumption and combat climate change. By supporting renewable energy projects and carbon offsetting initiatives, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Consumer choice
  Many electricity suppliers offer carbon neutral electricity tariffs or options for consumers who want to support renewable energy and reduce their carbon emissions.

How do solar panels reduce your carbon footprint?

Solar panels harness renewable energy from the sun to produce electricity. As they can generate electricity without burning fossil fuels, this significantly reduces the greenhouse gases produced. By using solar panels to power your home, you decrease your reliance on electricity generated from coal, oil, and natural gas, which are major contributors to carbon emissions.

Installing solar panels on your home can allow you to become more self-sufficient in terms of energy production. Any excess energy generated by your solar system can be fed back into the grid, helping to reduce the UK’s overall carbon footprint further by displacing fossil fuel generated electricity.

Will I save money with solar panels

Investing in solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings.

• Reduce your electricity bills
  You can substantially lower your electricity bills – or even eliminate them entirely – by installing solar panels on your home.
• Return on investment
  While the initial upfront investment of installing solar can be substantial, the long term cost savings they offer can outweigh this initial investment. Homeowners can generally achieve a positive ROI within a few years of installing solar panels.
• Get paid for excess electricity
  Many electricity providers allow you to earn credits for any excess electricity you send back to the grid. These credits can offset your future electricity bills, reducing your overall costs.
• 0% VAT rated
  Currently, solar PV installations are 0% VAT rated – effectively helping you save 20% on initial costs. That’s not all – home energy storage batteries are also 0% VAT rated too.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you lower your carbon footprint, and save money on your energy bills too.