There is a climate emergency.

It is vital to understand climate change, appreciate what your carbon footprint is and take action to combat climate change.

• What is my carbon footprint?​

Your carbon footprint is the total quantity of greenhouse gases that you create from your day-to-day life through home energy use, the way you travel, what you eat and the stuff you buy. It covers all greenhouse gases but – for simplicity – it is expressed as the equivalent in output of carbon dioxide (CO2) and is expressed over time, normally a year.  

If you live with others, thinking of your household’s carbon footprint can be helpful in making everyone aware and getting everyone involved in the actions you take.

In Scotland, individuals and households account for over 75% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas consumption emissions. These are the emissions for which we are responsible as consumers of goods and services (including goods that we import into Scotland).

Our contributions to greenhouse gas consumption emissions in Scotland divide up as follows:

• housing - 32%, how we heat and light our home.
• transport - 30%, how we travel to work, school, for leisure and holidays.
• food - 16%, the food and drink we choose to eat and drink and what we waste.
• products - 11%, what we buy and waste.
• other - 10%

For comparison, each of the following activities adds 1kg of carbon dioxide to your personal carbon footprint:  

• travelling by public transport (train or bus) for 10 to 12 km (6.5 to 7 miles)
• driving your car for 6 km or 3.75 miles (assuming 7.3 litres petrol per 100 km or 39 mpg)
• flying on an aeroplane for 2.2 km (or 1.375 miles)
• using your computer for 32 hours (60W consumption assumed)
• 5 plastic bags being produced for your use
• 2 plastic bottles being produced for your use
• 1/3 of an American cheeseburger being produced and you eating it!

For ideas on reducing your carbon footprint pleae visit Greener Scotland

The carbon footprint is a powerful concept for understanding the impact of personal behaviour on global warming. Most people are shocked when they see the amount of CO2 their activities create! If you want to help mitigate climate change, calculating and regular monitoring of your personal carbon footprint is essential. 

If we each work to reduce our carbon footprint, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and start to tackle global warming and climate change.

To get an idea of your carbon footprint, please use the WWF carbon footprint calculator for people in the UK. WWF calculator

Here is a BBC article on how it is useful to be aware of and monitor your carbon footprint.Is it worth tracking your carbon footprint?