We need to drastically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere from human activity.
The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Actions to reduce its release into the air are often called carbon reduction actions. For instance, the burning of things which contain carbon such as oil, gas and other fuels, result in carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Furthermore, anything which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide being released as a result of this activity would be referred to as a carbon reduction action.
However, there are other greenhouse gases, such as methane, so you will also see us talk about “emissions reduction”. This is exactly the same principle as carbon reduction; the only key difference is that other greenhouse gases are released.
The Toolkit on this website contains over 60 actions that have been selected as carbon and / or emissions reduction measures. Take a look at what actions you can take to address your carbon reduction and emissions, and help protect our environment.
Did you know?
1 person generates around 2.4 tonnes of CO2 every year
1 tonne of CO2 would...
Fill a 3 bedroom home
Be made by 3,000 car miles
Be offset by 150 pine trees
What's in the Toolkit?
We’ve researched more than 60 different carbon reducing actions, grouped into categories, and rated them by cost and carbon impact. There are actions suitable for all individual circumstances. You’ll find them all waiting for you in the Toolkit.
Buildings
Transport
Food & waste
Land use
Energy
Money
Use your voice
Why is a local approach so important?
Much climate policy is driven by a top-down, national approach. It doesn’t take into account regional differences around the country. By using The Great Collaboration Toolkit you are part of a bottom-up, local initiative that provides detailed, local information to allow local policy to be directed at the specific needs of local communities. In other words, you’re helping get the right actions to happen in the place that you live.
How to get started
Open the Toolkit and browse through the various sections.
When you come across an action you’ve already done, tell us by clicking Already Done.
When you come across an action you can’t do, or don’t want to do, click Not For Now and tell us a little about why.
Try to find half a dozen actions that interest you, and click Commit to say you’ll take that action within the next 12 months.
There are lots of actions to choose from. Each one shows the likely cost (FREE, £, ££, £££, ££££) and the potential emissions reduction (CO₂↓, CO₂↓↓, CO₂↓↓↓).
