Offsetting is not an alternative to carbon reduction but it is an intrinsic part of a package of measures that needs to be put in place as we go down the road to a low carbon future.  It is dangerous to believe, as some groups do, that the population of Britain is going to suddenly stop engaging in carbon emitting activities.  co2balance’s clients typically use carbon offsetting as a means of mitigating the impact of the carbon emissions that they have not been able to reduce or avoid.  As a client works their way through their carbon footprint seeking to avoid or reduce emissions, the process starts off easily.  It is usually possible to reduce significantly a client’s carbon footprint without spending huge sums of money.  Indeed many emissions savings measures are cost neutral or even provide cost savings or else have fairly short payback times.

However, a large proportion of most clients’ emissions is very difficult and much more costly to avoid.  A typical business or individual may find themselves spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds to save each tonne of carbon after all the ‘quick wins’ have been achieved.  It is morally unjustifiable to spend huge amounts of money eliminating your own total carbon footprint when the same funds could be used to eliminate potentially hundreds of times more carbon elsewhere.  It is a global problem and funds made available for carbon emissions reductions need to be spent where they do most good.  As with most things, a balance, in this case between reduction and offsetting, is required.

Here are some simple things that we can all do to reduce our carbon footprints:

1.         Switch off lights.  Always switch off the light when you leave a room and only have them on when the ambient light level is so low as to require it.

2.         Switch to energy saving light bulbs (CFLs).  Buy and fit good quality energy-saving light bulbs and save 80% of the electricity required to power an equivalent incandescent bulb.  They’ll be banned soon, so get ahead of the game!  CFLs also last up to 15 times longer, so save money and minimise waste!  All this and you'll also reduce your carbon emissions.

3.         Turn the thermostat down.  Turning your thermostat down by just 1oC could cut your heating bill by ten per cent. You should also keep furniture away from radiators as the foam in upholstered chairs and sofas acts as an effective heat insulator, stealing your heat.

4.         Look after your appliances.  Limescale makes them less efficient, requiring more energy to heat the water.  An easy, environmentally-friendly way to remove limescale is to leave a little vinegar in the kettle overnight.  Maintain your washing machine by adding 200ml of vinegar to an empty 60°C cycle every couple of months.

5.         Insulate your home.  Homes are responsible for around 30% of all carbon emissions in the UK.  While new homes are built with excellent insulation, many older homes leak heat like sieves.  Heat escapes through windows, walls and roofs.  Insulating lofts can be done quickly and cheaply and makes a huge difference.  Many power companies offer grants.  Single-glazed windows are also a huge source of heat-loss.  While owners of older homes may not wish to spoil the look of their property with modern windows, it is normally possible to install secondary double glazing which is often more effective than primary double glazing, behind your existing windows, conserving the appearance of the property.  Cavity wall insulation costs only around £500 for a 3 bedroom home.  You will feel the difference on Day 1.

6.         Use solar-powered alternatives.  Going solar powered does not mean you have to cover your home in solar panels, although roof-mounted photovoltaic and thermal cells are a good option.  You can switch a few everyday items, such as mobile phone chargers, torches, radios etc to solar-powered alternatives and help cut carbon emissions and reduce your electricity costs.  With no wiring required, solar powered gadgets for the home are also easy to install and work from daylight, even on cloudy days.

7.         Switch off your appliances.  Leaving your TV, PCs and other household items on standby can use almost as much electricity as if they were in use.  If in doubt, switch off at the plug.  You should also unplug chargers (for phones, iPods or anything that has a rechargeable battery).  Leaving them plugged in, even if they aren’t attached to their device, uses almost as much energy as when they are actually charging.

8.         Load up the washing machine.  Only put full loads in the washing machine and use the lowest setting possible. Today’s washing powder more than adequately cleans your clothes on a 40°C cycle, saving up to three quarters of the cost of the hottest cycle.

9.         Get green in the garden.  A compost heap produces a nutrient rich soil using natural waste, such as left over food, helping to reduce what goes to landfill.  You can also install solar-powered garden lights and shed lights. Take advantage of the sun!

10.       The sun is the most readily available source of heat there is; and it's free!  Hanging clothes out to dry on sunny days, instead of using the tumble dryer or a radiator, is also a great way to take advantage of the earth's natural heat source.

www.natenergy.org.uk

For information on energy use and efficiency plus many other valuable resources.

www.envirowise.gov.uk

For information of resource efficiency (including energy and materials).

www.est.org.uk

For information on energy efficiency.

www.thecarbontrust.co.uk

For information on low-carbon technology.