Key Points

Pilot project that aims to raise awareness of the carbon impact of modern lifestyles and enable individuals to take action

Addresses four key areas: Energy, Water, Waste and Travel

Uses the Act on CO2 carbon calculator and builds on current national marketing activity, linking this to local solutions and action

Carbon Watchers

Background

Climate change is now rarely out of the headlines, with not only governments and businesses but also individuals being urged to reduce their carbon emissions. However there are many barriers to individuals taking effective action, including not knowing which of their activities produce the most emissions, what resources already exist to help reduce them, and whether their actions have been successful.

Calculating a personal carbon footprint is a quick and simple way to understand where emissions arise from. A wealth of 'carbon calculators' are available on the internet and many provide information to help people reduce their carbon footprint too. These can be a valuable tool for raising awareness but it is not yet clear whether their use leads to longer term changes in attitudes and behaviour.

Aims

Carbon Watchers will pilot an approach to help individuals within Gloucestershire understand the scale of their contribution to climate change and how they can take action to reduce it. There will be monitoring and feedback opportunities to determine which actions are effective and achievable for participants, and where there are additional benefits such as improved health or quality of life. In addition, the project is designed to determine whether there are barriers to particular carbon saving actions and identify how these can be overcome.

This pilot project will inform development of a resource pack that will enable individuals to take independent action to reduce their carbon footprint. The idea is to enable ongoing delivery through Energy Saving Trust Advice Centres (ESTACs) with strategic co-ordination by the ESTAC Local Authority Manager.

Activities

The planning and research phase was concluded in March 2008. This will be followed by a marketing campaign to identify at least 30 people who will be invited to take part in the 12 month participation phase starting on 1st October 2008. This will include:

Recalculation of the carbon footprint at the six and twelve month stages will show what has been achieved and help to maintain the momentum for sustained action. Participants will also be encouraged to monitor their water consumption and generation of recyclable and non-recyclable wastes, although these will be considered complementary activities alongside the main focus of reducing emissions from energy consumption and transport.

A 'carbon diary' spreadsheet has been developed to record meter readings and other data, which can then be analysed to monitor the impact of changes and provide feedback to householders. Participants will also have access to a database of existing local services and information resources that can help them reduce their carbon footprint. As well as energy efficiency, waste reduction and water conservation advice it offers local shopping, recreation and tourism information to encourage people to travel less, spend their money locally and engage with community initiatives.

It is anticipated that the majority of actions taken by participants will be behavioural changes as a result of increased awareness from monitoring. Additionally, all participants will receive information about current grants, discounts and offers relating to the four themes of the project to help them reduce their carbon footprint further.

Quarterly meetings will be held around the county to provide additional information and support to participants, and receive feedback from them.

Results

Two key indicators will be used to evaluate the success of the pilot project: the participation levels and actual carbon savings achieved.

The final output from the project will be a prototype for a self-help carbon reduction resource pack that can be sent to households throughout the county.

Coordinator

Lucie Davies - Senior Project Manager

[email]lucie
[phone]01452 835076

Related Projects

Target 2050 - Domestic

Funding

The research and planning stage in February and March 2008 was funded by the Energy Saving Trust, who will seek to learn from Carbon Watchers in the development of their Greener Homes initiative. Gloucestershire County Council have provided funding for the pilot project from April 2008 to September 2009.

No financial contribution is required from participants although they will be encouraged to install measures where private capital and/or grant funding is available.