Carbon Footprints
The government has committed the UK to Net Zero by 2050. Many scientists say we should aim to do this by 2030 in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
What are carbon foot prints and Net Zero?
A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organisation, service, place or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. For example when we light a gas fire carbon dioxide is given off into the atmosphere; a car emits carbon dioxide as its driven. There are other greenhouse gas emissions such as methane from agricultures. Emissions are not just related to our own activities but include external ones coming from construction, food manufacturing, services and transport.
The average figure for each person in the UK (including children) is about 6 tons a year and is broken down roughly as pictured (on the right).
Put simply, net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. We reach net zero when the amount we add is no more than the amount taken away.
Every parish in Devon can establish their own carbon footprint using:
Each parish will have a different carbon footprint and this can be used to establish priorities for action. For instance, land use is much higher in Thelbridge and this could be identified as a priority for action.
