Carbon Footprinting
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the way of measuring the impact that human activities have on the environment. It is expressed in how many units of carbon dioxide are produced from a certain activity, business or lifestyle.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) "Act on CO2" campaign includes an interactive carbon calculator which analyses your impact in key areas such as your home, electrical appliances and transport. It also provides a personalised action plan for you to reduce your impact on the environment and CO2 emissions.
Calculate your carbon footprint
On average, each household in the UK produces about 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The most common emissions are caused by:
- Burning fuel in your home (e.g. heating, cooking)
- Using electricity to power electrical goods
- Fuel for travelling
- Manufacture, distribution and disposal of products
What can I do?
Recycle where possible and reduce waste by buying products with less packaging
Turn your washing machine temperature down to 30°C
Do not leave appliances on standby or charge unnecessarily
Use energy efficient light bulbs and switch off lights as you leave a room
Fix leaking taps and use a plug or bowl when washing dishes
Dry your washing outside on a sunny day rather than using a tumble dryer
Useful links
See our website for further advice on recycling, composting and our household recycling centre
For further advice on how to make your home more energy efficient contact the Energy Saving Trust
For tips about smarter motoring visit the Department for Transport website
For guidance on sustainable travel choices in the city contact our Travelchoice team
For a more comprehensive list of local environmental companies and events please visit the Greater Peterborough Partnership website
What is Peterborough City Council doing to combat the issues of climate change locally?