INDIVIDUALS and businesses alike are becoming increasingly aware of their impact on climate change. As a result they are starting to make informed choices when buying products from food to cars to electrical appliances, taking in to account factors such as where it came from and its energy or fuel efficiency rating.
So what is a carbon footprint and why is it important? In simple terms a carbon footprint is a measure of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and can be calculated for an individual, an organisation an event or even a product.
An all-important benchmark, it helps identify where actions can be taken to reduce emissions and enables useful comparisons to be made.
Businesses from farms to international banks are exploring ways to cut their carbon footprints.
Food and air travel are two areas attracting plenty of media interest. Some retailers, such as Marks and Spencer, are already committed to measuring and reducing their own carbon footprint, as well as that of some food products.
How to reduce it? As individuals, or businesses, there are many simple steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint – many which will save money too! Here are just five.
Buy energy efficient lightbulbs and replace electrical appliances with energy efficient models
Don't leave appliances on standby, switch them off.
Ensure your house, or business premise, is well insulated - council grants are available for some homeowners.
Don't jump in the car to make a short journey, walk! Where practical use public transport, car share or use your bicycle!
Where possible, buy locally produced food and goods.
A good source of further information is available from the Energy Saving Trust or the Carbon Trust.
Brown & Co's Footprint
Leading by example, Brown & Co's environmental consultancy team has calculated the firm's carbon footprint.
Having implemented some of the above changes to reduce the carbon footprint at the firm's Grantham office, a major proportion of the remaining emissions have been offset against a local project at Bardney Limewoods near Lincoln helping to restore Britain's greatest concentration of woodland dominated by small leaved limes.
The woodland is home to rare flora and fauna including the greater butterfly orchid and the white admiral butterfly.
Renewable energy to take centre stage?
Looking to the future renewable energy technologies, such as boilers feed on wood chips, windpower and biodiesel, are set to play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emission.
Schemes already exist to encourage business to invest in these new technologies. The Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme enables investment to be offset against taxable profits, while the Carbon Trust is offering interest free loans.
Businesses interested in calculating their carbon footprint should contact Fay Chester on 01476 514439 or f.chester@brown-co.com
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