ACT ON CO2 – are you?
Defra’s ACT ON CO2 campaign aims to encourage behavioral change and increase understanding of the link between CO2 emissions and climate change.
Part of the campaign includes the ACT ON CO2 calculator, which has recently been updated following feedback from people using the calculator. The calculator gives people the opportunity to reliably calculate their individual carbon footprints based on their home, appliances and transport. They can also choose to calculate their own personal footprint or their household. The calculator then develops a personalised action plan, with steps people can take to cut their emissions.
One of the most important new features allows people to return to the calculator. People can now log on to the calculator and update their profile, then compare their new profile with their existing one to monitor any improvement.
Another major enhancement involves the action plan – people who use the calculator will now receive a short six-point action plan, prioritised by the most cost effective and relevant advice.
Nearly 700,000 people used the ACT ON CO2 calculator between its launch in June 2007 and January 2008. We’re encouraging everyone to use the calculator, to become more aware of their CO2 emissions, and to take action on ways to reduce it. We also want people to keep checking back to see if they’re reducing their carbon footprint.
People’s awareness of their carbon footprints was taken to a new level in 2007 with TV, press and online advertising, regional roadshows and giant sand ‘carbon footprints’ on display across England – and we’re continuing to raise awareness in 2008.
Joan Ruddock, Minister for Climate Change, last week unveiled ‘carbon footprints’ on display in Trafalgar Square, London. Footprints were also on display in Reading, Plymouth, Stoke-on-Trent, Leicester, York, Cambridge and London.
Building on the success of the 10 roadshows held across the nine regions in England during Autumn 2007, more roadshows planned for February and March will stop at Dudley, Leicester, Cambridge, Plymouth and Leeds. The roadshows provide visitors with an opportunity to work out their carbon footprint, and discover simple actions they can take to reduce it. Staff are on hand to help visitors.
Further information
Page published: 28 January 2008