How to calculate and reduce your carbon footprint

Carbon emissions – we’re all responsible for them. From the food we eat to the way we travel, every one of us leaves a carbon footprint in our wake.

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere by a person, business or other entity. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most significant greenhouse gas driving human-induced climate change.

How to calculate your carbon footprint

Working out the emissions associated with every aspect of our lives is difficult, but government figures suggest the average UK person is responsible for 11 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

To find out how your personal carbon footprint compares to this, there are a range of online carbon footprint calculators you can use, including:

• the Carbon Independent's footprint calculator

• the Resurgence Trust's footprint calculator

• the Eco Passenger transport footprint calculator, which compares the energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and other environmental impacts of planes, cars and trains.

How to reduce your carbon footprint

We’re all responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. This means there are things we can do as individuals to reduce our carbon footprint, limiting the impact our activities have on the natural world.

Energy

Becoming more energy efficient will help to reduce your carbon footprint. Limit waste and consider switching to a supplier that provides renewable energy, which could reduce your carbon footprint by up to 1.5 tons of CO₂ per year.

Food

Consider what you eat and where it comes from. Studies show that meat and dairy are the most environmentally damaging food types, while food produced in the UK is generally less carbon intensive than imported products. Cutting your food waste can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 300 kilograms of CO₂ per year.

Planting

Planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers in your garden, balcony or in a pot outside your front door will help absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, as well as provide food and shelter for wildlife, boosting biodiversity. Even a single tree can make a difference.

Retail

From fashion to furniture, everything we buy generates emissions. The easiest way to reduce your emissions is to simply buy less. When you do buy, choose second-hand items or purchase from sustainable retailers.

Travel

Walking, cycling and public transport are all better alternatives to driving. Flying is carbon-intensive, so limiting the number of flights can really help reduce your footprint. Taking one less long-haul return flight can reduce your carbon footprint by up to almost two tons of CO₂.

Help harness the power of trees

We can help fight climate change further by planting and protecting trees. Each year around 19.6 million tonnes of CO₂ are absorbed by the UK’s existing trees and woods. The over 1,000 woods in our care across the country make a significant contribution to this total.

You can help us look after our woods and ensure they lock up carbon for generations to come by making a donation. Every £31 donated helps us protect and care for an area of woodland that has the potential to secure roughly one tonne of CO₂. A donation of £341 would allow us to look after enough woodland to capture and store 11 tonnes of CO₂, matching the figure for the average UK person’s yearly carbon footprint.

Making a donation will not directly reduce your carbon footprint, but it will help to mitigate your environmental impact. Of course, the woods you will help protect are much more than just carbon stores. They also provide vital homes for wildlife and important green spaces for people to visit and enjoy.