Think what you can do
There are lots of ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint and the effect you’re having on climate change. Anything you can do to lower the amount of CO2 emissions you are responsible for will help protect the future of the planet. Here are 10 tips to help you get started:
1. Switch to energy-saving light bulbs If every household in Britain replaced just three normal bulbs with energy savers, enough energy could be saved to run all the country's street lighting.* Ethical Partner: Ranges of energy saving bulbs are available from The Co-operative Food stores, Nigel’s Eco-store and Energy Saving World. *Source: Energy Saving Trust |
2. Turn off appliances instead of leaving them on standby. Electrical appliances left on standby waste 6 to 10% of all energy used in the average home.* Ethical Partner: Energy saving devices are available from Nigel’s Eco-store and Energy Saving World. *Source: Energy Saving Trust |
3. Consider the energy rating when purchasing new appliances. An A-rated fridge freezer, for example, is 40% more energy efficient than a C-rated one, and could save you £16 per year on running costs.* Ethical Partner: Purchase A-rated goods from The Co-op Electrical Shop. *Source: Which? |
4. Switch to a green electricity supplier. Around 33% of the UK's CO2 emissions are derived from conventional electricity generation.* Ethical Partner: Renewable electricity supplier Ecotricity. Also, Co-operative Bank think credit card customers benefit from a £35 reduction on their first year's bill when they switch to Ecotricity. *Source: Ecotricity |
5. Insulate. In the UK, 50% of total heat loss from our homes is as a direct result of poor insulation.* Ethical Partner: Ecofirst, sustainable loft and cavity wall insulation products and services. *Source: The Ecologist |
6. Buy furniture made from sustainably sourced wood. 20% of global CO2 emissions are as a result of people cutting down the world’s tropical forests.* Ethical Partner: IKEA only use wood from sustainable sources. *Source: WWF |
7. The transport sector is responsible for 26% of the UK’s CO2 emissions,* help reduce this and leave the car at home. Instead:
*Source: www.tyndall.ac.uk |
8. Consider a more fuel-efficient car if you are replacing your old one. The average car in the UK does 37 miles per gallon* but there are many standard petrol and diesel cars that can do over 50. Ethical Partner: Co-operative Insurance's car insurance has a responsible claims process. Additionally, as a customer, you can also have your say on Co-operative Insurance's customer-led Ethical Engagement Policy. *Source: www.vca.gov.uk |
9. Shop ethically. Whether it's shopping for food to furniture or cleaning products to clothing, there are greener options that can make a difference. Ethical Partners: The Co-operative Food stores, IKEA, Nigel’s Eco-store, Adili, Ethical Consumer magazine and ethicalsuperstore.com. |
10. There are also other important ethical issues to consider when shopping:
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