Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Reducing your own carbon footprint

Modern lifestyles use a lot of energy and as a result, produce a lot of carbon. To try to reduce climate change, it is important for everyone to try to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Check out your own carbon footprint by using the Act On co2 calculator using the link on the side of this page.

These three areas will have the biggest impact on your personal carbon footprint:

• Reduce houshold energy bills.
• Many of us are already using energy saving measures in our homes, so as well as lowering our fuel bills we are also lowering our carbon emissions. Follow the link on the left-hand side of this page for our Energy Saving Tips.

• Reduce flying time
• Try to limit the number of flights you take per year.
• Why not holiday in the UK, or use the train instead of a domestic flight.

• Reduce the cost of motoring.
• Have a car free one day per week and travel using public transport, or cycle.
• Find someone to share your regular car journeys - Stockton Borough Council has linked up with Liftshare to help people find carshare buddies.
• Empty your boot regularly; driving your golf clubs around all week will increase your fuel consumption. Keep tyres properly inflated and service your car regularly to ensure it is running efficiently.
• For more tips on greener driving contact the Energy Savings Trust.

Here are a few more ideas for reducing your carbon footprint

• Reduce the number of times you buy takeaway meals which usually come in plastic, polystyrene or foil containers. If you do order in a meal for a treat - remember to wash and recycle, or re-use, the containers where possible.
• Say no to carrier bags when shopping - use a cotton shopping bag, or reuse an old carrier bag.
• Try to chose local food which is in season - this means it hasn't been flown in from warmer countries or grown in heated greenhouses.
• Use a microwave to heat up food rather than a conventional oven. Four minutes in a microwave creates just 22g of CO2 as opposed to 385g in an oven.