David Attenborough, our nation’s treasure, has shared with world leaders at COP26 how our actions today have an impact on the planet and all living creatures on it. Attenborough has taught us how CO2 greatly determines the temperature of the planet. He continues this by saying, “Changes in that one number is the clearest way to chart our own story.”
So how do we do that?
People globally are seeking ways to do just that, and you are no different. You recognise how reducing CO2 emissions protects our environment, and your neighbours agree. Even the UK government has passed recent legislation to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 100% (relative to 1990 levels) by 2050. That is a step in the right direction.
If you want to join the low-carbon movement, Charters supports and joins you! Our blog explains what low carbon living means and provides practical tips and guidance on incorporating it into your lifestyle, especially in your home. Read on to discover how reducing your carbon footprint has a direct impact on your energy bills and the environment.
Low carbon living is a term thrown around a lot, but what does it mean? Low carbon living refers to a lifestyle that minimises your carbon footprint. It involves decreasing energy demand daily and making conscious decisions to reduce energy consumption, waste, and CO2 emissions. As we see it, the reasons why you choose a low carbon lifestyle are twofold: reduce your impact on the environment and combat climate change.
Everything from how you travel, what you eat, what you consume, and your home (how it operates, the build itself, and your lifestyle at home) have a carbon footprint, and, there are simple changes you can make today to reduce it.
Residential builds are responsible for a shocking 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, reaching net zero in our homes helps the nation achieve the 2030 emissions reduction targets set by the UK government. While it may not initially seem realistic to reach net zero, small steps and changes to your home, as well as improvements to the property itself, reduces carbon emissions making these goals realistic. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship of your house and your carbon footprint.
The construction process, insulation, ventilation, and fuel sources play a significant role in determining a home’s carbon emissions. To reduce your carbon footprint, living in an eco-friendly home is the first step. An eco-house is a home built and designed using materials and technology that minimise its carbon footprint and energy requirements. The concept of eco-friendly housing is rapidly gaining popularity and becoming more accessible, whether retrofitting and upgrading an older home or purchasing a new one.
By embracing eco-friendly housing, you reduce your environmental impact. One way to achieve this is by turning your home into an energy-efficient home.
Making your home more energy-efficient gives you the freedom to crank up the heat without sparking family debates over utility bills. It allows you to create a warm, cosy living environment while fulfilling your responsibility towards fighting climate change. By implementing these improvements, the average household could reduce their carbon emissions by 0.6 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is a huge reduction. The current average carbon footprint is 8.1 tonnes of CO2 per year per household in the UK. Start by insulating your roof and walls, installing double-glazed windows, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and using smart heating systems. Switch to LED lights. LED lighting uses less than 80% of energy compared to the standard incandescent bulb. LED lighting lasts over 20 times longer (up to 63,000 hours of use). That means you don’t need to replace it as often reducing your carbon footprint even more.
Don’t forget! If you’d like to reach more, check out your blog on improving your home’s energy efficiency, click this link!
Installing renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers, and heat pumps decreases your energy consumption and carbon footprint too. Solar panels, in particular, are a fantastic option as they provide renewable energy and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Plus, it saves you money on electricity bills! According to the Energy Saving Trust, a 4.2 kilowatt-peak solar panel system saves an average household around £210 to £514 per year on bills, based on the upcoming October price cap. And, the benefits to solar panels do not stop there. They also reduce your carbon footprint. The average home produces 0.9 tons of CO2 emissions per year from electricity usage. By using solar panels, you eliminate that amount of pollution and CO2 emissions by more than 100%.
Surprisingly, the average home releases a staggering 2.7 tonnes of CO2 annually from heating alone. This highlights the significant impact that household heating has on greenhouse gas emissions. The UK government is taking this matter seriously. They plan on banning gas and oil boilers in newly built homes from 2025. Instead, homes must be zero-carbon ready, with heating sourced from low-carbon technologies like electric powered heat pumps. Currently, 85% of UK homes rely on gas for heating. Therefore, taking proactive measures to adopt renewable, low-carbon technologies like electric heat pumps in your home is a wise decision
Electric heat pumps are more eco-friendly than gas boilers. They don’t burn fossil fuels to create heat, which is a huge benefit to the environment. Moreover, electric boilers are highly energy-efficient, with most boasting an efficiency rating of 99%, surpassing any gas boiler on the market.
Choose energy-efficient appliances, such as those with an A+++ energy rating. These appliances use less energy than older models, meaning you save money on energy bills and get on track for doing your bit for the environment.
In the UK, water usage contributes to about 6% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, making it a key factor in reducing our carbon footprint. Showering, doing laundry, and washing up are the main culprits of excessive water usage. By installing water-saving devices, such as low-flow showerheads and faucets, you are reducing water usage. Moreover, by using less hot water, you minimise the amount of energy required to heat it, thereby, decreasing carbon emissions. In fact, household water heating accounts for a substantial portion of emissions, approximately 46%, if a gas boiler is utilised.
Just a friendly reminder, turn off the lights when you leave the room. Also, try not to leave your devices on stand-by. Leaving your vampire devices on accounts for 9% to 16% of household energy usage in the UK. That is a lot, but, the good news is: there is an easy fix. Just unplug your standby devices. That can save you up £86 per year.
Every new item you buy has a hidden carbon footprint, including your clothes. According to the American Apparel Association, each person that buys second-hand clothing prevents more than 500 pounds of carbon emissions every year. By choosing pre-loved clothes, you are fighting climate change. Plus, who doesn’t love a good charity shop find?
Many of us already carry reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles. That tiny act in itself prevents plastic waste from polluting our waters and threatening marine life. It also prevents any recycling problems from developing and saves you money (from having to buy new bags). Throughout their lifecycle, plastics emit 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. You can change that number by remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle. Your choice of shopping bag material is no different.
Walking or cycling to your destination provides you with a healthy dose of exercise and endorphins, and reduces fuel costs and traffic congestion. That is a win-win! If walking or cycling isn’t an option, consider taking public transport. A coach journey from London to Glasgow emits 4 times less CO2 equivalent per passenger than the same journey by car. If public transport is unavailable, or you need to travel by car, consider carpooling with colleagues or friends. According to the UK government, by changing from 1.55 people per vehicle to 1.7, it could save 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission per by 2030. That is a great reason to carpool to football matches, school pickups, and whenever you need to go anywhere during your mum/dad taxi runs.
If you’re a frequent flyer, you might want to look at vacations from a different perspective. Consider exploring local destinations, taking “staycations,” and using slow travel. A long-haul return flight between London and New York emits 1.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide. That is over 3 times the amount that someone living in Ghana will emit in a year! Whereas, slow travel rids that completely from occurring.
Slow travel is about arriving at your destination by train, bus, bicycle, and by foot. It is about feeling more connected to the locals, maximising your enjoyment, decreasing your carbon footprint, and exploring natural wonders and adventures most tourists never get to see. It also is about sustainable travel, which involves less frequent flights and more in-depth experiences.
Eating with the environment in mind reduces your climate impact too. Staggeringly, food production accounts for approximately 1/4 of greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant portion coming from food waste, livestock, and fisheries. The impact of livestock on emissions varies between countries, but, globally, the United Nations estimates it accounts for over 14% of all man-made greenhouse gases, including methane.
Reducing your consumption of meat and making smart choices about the meat you eat can mitigate the environmental impact of livestock production. Red meat, in particular, has a significantly higher environmental impact, requiring 28 times more land and 11 times more water than pork or chicken, and 160 times more land and producing 11 times more greenhouse gases per calorie than staples like potatoes, wheat, and rice.
If you are looking to make a bigger impression, a vegan diet might be the answer. Plant-based protein options (think tofu, beans, peas, and nuts) have the lowest climate impact. A study from Oxford University estimated that food production’s greenhouse gas emissions would reduce by 49% if everyone followed a vegan diet.
We hope our guide has shed light on how living a low-carbon lifestyle is great for the planet, your wallet, and your health. By reducing your energy consumption, you significantly lower your expenses. By choosing to walk everywhere, you improve your mental health, reduce cholesterol, improve blood pressure, reduce stress, and fight weight gain. But, that does not encompass everything. By lowering CO2 emissions and pollution levels, you are also ensuring there is clean air for you, your loved ones, and pets to breathe and enjoy.
If you’re interested in leading a more sustainable lifestyle, there’s never been a better time to start. At Charters, we offer exceptional options for sale that cater to eco-friendly living.
We collaborate directly with property developers who specialise in constructing new homes designed with sustainability in mind. These homes are built to the highest standards and often integrate features such as energy-efficient appliances, heat pumps, and energy-saving windows.
What are you waiting for? Your low-carbon home and lifestyle awaits!
If you wish to find out more about our sustainable homes for sale, please contact us today. Additional information is available at https://chartersestateagents.co.uk/land-new-homes/.
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