21/06/2007

Miliband unveils carbon footprint calculator

An online calculator that enables people to calculate their carbon footprint has been launched by Environment Secretary David Miliband.

Using the calculator, people can reliably calculate their carbon footprint from home energy, appliances and transport, and choose to calculate either their own personal footprint or their household's. The calculator then develops a personalised action plan for users, with steps they can take to cut CO2 emissions.

Mr Miliband said: "Around two thirds of people are already taking action to try to limit climate change - but there is a lot of confusion about what people can do and how effective those changes actually are.

"We want to cut through that confusion. This carbon calculator will help people decide what they can do - and be sure it will make a difference. Using it, people can work out the impact of their actions and, with the tailored recommendations provided by the calculator, identify the best way to reduce their footprint.

"This calculator is a real innovation - using up-to-date, authoritative data and recognised calculation methods. As the calculator improves and develops, I want it to become the gold standard for calculating CO2 emissions from individuals and families."

The Act on CO2 calculator can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/actonCO2

(SP/JM)

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