What you can do...

Measure and reduce your carbon footprint

Your carbon footprint is the total of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions created by your activities - usually calculated over the period of one year.

All sorts of things that most of us do on a regular basis - from running a car and using plastic bags and bottles to eating burgers from fast food outlets contribute to the overall size of our so-called carbon footprint.

On average, our carbon footprint in Plymouth is 5.5 tonnes of C02 per person - that's 3.3 tonnes lower than the rest of the south west and 3.8 tonnes lower than the national average.

Measure your carbon footprint using a fun, free and easy to use carbon calculator and find out how your footprint measures up against the national and regional averages, and get your free action plan packed with useful ideas for cutting the amount of C02 you're directly responsible for. Measure your footprint again in six months to see how much greener you've become. You’ll be amazed at just how easy it is to make a real difference to your life, your city and your planet!

Save your pennies by saving energy

• Don't overfill your kettle to make one cup of tea
• Don't leave your TV, PC etc on standby
• Save water - have a shower rather than a bath
• Fit energy saving light bulbs
• Turn off unnecessary lights
• Turn your thermostat down by 1°C - you won't even notice the difference!
• Turn off appliances at the mains
• Fit draught excluders to doors and windows
• Use heavier curtains during the winter months
• Buy 'A' graded energy efficient appliances
• Fit solar panels or a micro turbine
• Sign up to the green tariff offered by your energy supplier
• Hang out your washing on warm days instead of using the tumble dryer