Action in the UK - Individual and community action
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. A key first step towards tackling the problem is to make sure everyone understands exactly what the challenge is and the difference they could make.
Everyone can help tackle climate change. You can start by spreading the word, so more people understand what's happening and why, and what they can do to make a difference.
ACT ON CO2 advice line
The ACT ON CO2 advice line provides people with comprehensive advice on how to reduce their carbon footprint. You can get tailored, free, impartial advice from the Energy Saving Trust, covering energy efficiency, microgeneration and renewable energy, water efficiency and waste reduction.
Connect with offers from energy companies who are now required to provide practical help to reduce your energy use at home - including subsidies for energy saving measures. Call 0800 512 012 (Mon-Fri 8am – 7pm), or go to www.est.org.uk.
ACT ON CO2 campaign
In September 2008 the Government's ACT ON CO2 campaign has stepped up a gear with TV, press and online advertising together with a new campaign website featuring a range of advice, tools and guidance on saving money and saving energy.
The campaign was launched in 2007 to increase understanding of the link between individual action and climate change. Part of the campaign, the carbon calculator, enables people to reliably calculate their carbon footprint from home energy, appliances and transport.
It also raises awareness of the different actions people can take in their everyday lives to help tackle climate change.
Check your carbon footprint: ACT ON CO2 calculator
The Government launched on 20 June 2007 a beta version of a web-based CO2 calculator. Developed in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), it enables people to calculate their own CO2 footprint from emissions that result directly from their own actions. The calculator is split into three sections - home energy, appliances and personal transport - and can be calculated for an individual or a whole household.
It also provides tailored recommendations through a personalised Action Plan, about steps users can take to cut their own emissions. This also signposts where they can find further information on Directgov and EST websites, for example about how to install insulation, or what grants are available.
- calculator on Directgov
- background to the calculator, including methodology
- Energy Saving Trust website
- Directgov ACT ON CO2 site
Designing and Operating Climate Change Pledge Schemes
Defra have produced a Best Practice Guide to Designing and Operating Climate Change Pledge Schemes. The guide aims to assist those planning to set up and run a climate change pledge scheme. The guide has been produced in collaboration with organisations who have experience of setting up and running pledge schemes.
- Best Practice Guide to Designing and Operating Climate Change Pledge Schemes - June 2008 [PDF 170KB]
Citizens Summit
Defra held a Citizens Summit in London on 12 May 2007 to provide 150 members of the public the opportunity to discuss climate change with senior government and industry figures.
Community initiatives and individual behaviour change
We've been doing work around how community initiatives or groups encourage their members to take action to help tackle climate change, and at other areas such, as health, to see if we could learn from different approaches.
Personal carbon trading
Defra has been investigating a variety of potential long term options for making individuals better informed about, and involved in, tackling climate change. One of these options, which received considerable publicity, was the idea of a personal carbon trading.
Climate change communications
In 2005, Defra published its communications strategy for climate change. The strategy outlines how public attitudes and awareness can change over a period of three years, with the help of local communicators, regional and national initiatives and collective action.
Climate change champions
The nine young winners of the latest search for regional Climate Change Champions were announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Minister for Climate Change Joan Ruddock on 20 February 2008.
Page last modified: 22 September 2008
Page published: 19 December 2006