In your home

By taking the following measures, you can cut emissions and often save money at the same time:

• Reduce the temperature of the central heating by just 1°C; set the thermostat even lower when you are out and at night to cut energy bills by as much as one quarter.

• Insulate central heating pipes and wall cavities. Heat loss through walls, the roof and the floor commonly accounts for over 70% of overall heat loss. Use the opportunity of a renovation to improve the energy performance of your home.

• Move the fridge away from the cooker or hot water heater, so that the heat does not force the fridge to work harder. Do not let it frost up; let food cool before putting it in the fridge.

• Use energy-saving light bulbs and switch-off lights when not needed.

• Think before you use appliances: use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full, think about the temperature cycle to use, and use a tumble dryer only when absolutely necessary. When you make a cup of tea or coffee, boil only the amount of water you need.

• Do not leave appliances on standby. Switch off your home electronics, computer, modem, etc. completely and do not leave them in standby mode.

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and take a shower instead of a bath. A standard shower uses up to four times less energy than a bath.

• Sort for recycling. Recycling one aluminium can saves 90% of the energy needed to produce a new one. Recycle organic waste as compost. Reduce waste by using fewer one-time disposable products and packages, and buy intelligently: a 1.5 litre bottle requires less energy to make and produces less waste than three half-litre bottles.

• Switch to ‘green’ electricity. It may cost a bit more, but demand creates supply and the greater the supply, the more likely it is that the cost will come down through economies of scale.

In your car

Environmentally aware driving can lower fuel consumption by 5%. Examples of ecodriving are:

• Start with a cold engine. Warming the engine uses more fuel. Then set off without using the throttle and shift to higher gears as soon as possible. The higher gears are more fuel-efficient.

• Check the tyre pressure. If it is down by 0.5 bars, your car uses 2.5% more fuel.

• Use low-viscosity motor oil. The best oils can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by more than 2.5%.

• Take the roof rack off. Even empty roof racks can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10%.

• Slow down. Driving faster than 120 km per hour consumes 30% more fuel per kilometre than driving at 80 km per hour. And keep a steady speed, thus consuming less fuel.

Elsewhere

• Travel by train. One person in a train emits two thirds less carbon dioxide than one person alone in a car.

• Explore alternatives to flying. Flying is the world’s fastest growing source of CO2 emissions.

• If you fly, then consider ‘offsetting’ your carbon emissions through an organisation which will invest the small amount it costs you in renewable energy or tree-planting.

• Cycle, walk, use a car-pool, take public transport and telework.

• Buy intelligently. Go for appliances which are labelled as energy-efficient, light-packed and recyclable products, local and seasonal food, and fuel-efficient cars with the lowest levels of CO2 emissions per kilometre.

• Eat less meat. Meat production is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, estimated between 14 and 22%. The emissions involved to create a single hamburger patty is the equivalent of driving a car nearly 10 miles. If you love meat, try being a weekday vegetarian.