We all want to do our bit for the planet — but what does that really mean when it comes to your day-to-day life, your home, or your business? A great place to start is understanding your carbon footprint.
What is a 'Carbon Footprint'?
A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), released into the atmosphere as a result of our actions. From heating our homes and commuting to work, to growing and transporting food or producing goods, nearly every activity has a carbon cost.
Carbon dioxide is the most well-known culprit, but it’s not the only one. Methane (CH₄) from agriculture and landfills, nitrous oxide (N₂O) from fertilizers, and refrigerant gases also contribute to climate change, many of them far more potent than CO₂.
These gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise — the root cause of climate change.
Why should you care?
Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s a present-day reality. From extreme weather and rising energy bills to the loss of biodiversity, the impacts are already being felt globally and locally.
Reducing your carbon footprint helps limit these effects, and brings direct benefits like lower energy costs, improved home comfort, and long-term savings for both households and businesses.
Reducing the environmental impact of your home
Our homes are often one of the biggest sources of personal carbon emissions, especially if they rely on fossil fuels for heating and electricity. But the good news is: making your home more energy-efficient can dramatically reduce emissions and make it more comfortable and affordable to live in.
Here’s how:
- Install proper insulation: Keeping warmth in during winter and heat out during summer reduces the need for constant heating or cooling.
- Switch to energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting: A quick win for both your energy bill and your footprint.
- Consider low-carbon heating options: Installing a heat pump can significantly reduce your reliance on gas.
- Generate your own energy: Solar panels can power your home with clean, renewable electricity, especially when paired with a battery system.
Measuring the environmental impact of your business
Before a business can reduce its emissions, it needs to understand where they’re coming from. That means starting with baseline measurements — a critical first step. Ask yourself:
- How much electricity and gas does the business use each year?
- Are company vehicles electric or fossil-fuel-based?
- Is there a food waste or recycling system in place?
- How do employees commute, by car, public transport, or walking?
This information forms the basis of a carbon audit, which helps identify where the biggest emissions come from and where the biggest savings can be made.
Reducing the environmental impact of your business
Once you understand your carbon footprint, the next step is reducing it. And here’s the real bonus: cutting emissions can also cut costs.
Switching to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency means:
- Lower energy bills
- Reduced exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices
- Meeting regulatory requirements and improving public perception
- Creating a more comfortable, productive workspace
Some of the most effective actions include:
- Upgrading to efficient HVAC systems or heat pumps
- Switching to LED lighting
- Installing solar panels on-site
- Creating policies around sustainable transport and recycling
Simple ways everyone can reduce their carbon footprint
Even small lifestyle changes add up. Here are some everyday choices that make a real impact:
- Travel smart: Walk, cycle, or take public transport instead of driving.
- Fly less: Air travel has one of the highest carbon impacts; try to reduce or offset flights.
- Eat local and seasonal: Choose produce that hasn’t been flown halfway around the world.
- Cut down on meat and dairy: Livestock farming is a major source of methane.
- Switch to a renewable energy supplier: Powering your home or office with clean electricity is one of the easiest changes you can make.
What's the ideal carbon footprint?
Experts like Mike Berners-Lee suggest aiming for a “Ten Tonne Lifestyle”, meaning 10 tonnes of CO₂ per person per year. That’s about one-third less than the UK average and represents a realistic but impactful target.
Some activities, like a single return flight from London to New York, can blow that entire budget. So being conscious of your choices really matters.
Ready to make a change?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a business, BHESCo is here to support your transition to a low-carbon future. From energy assessments and solar installations to heat pump solutions and carbon audits, we offer practical support that works.
3 Comments
Ian Smith · 31/07/2019 at 17:09
There are natural mechanisms for absorbing carbon dioxide such as oceans > crustaceans > limestone and directly by some rocks. If one divides the capacity of these mechanisms by the current world population, given the variations in estimates of the capacity of the mechanisms, one gets figures in the range 1.5 – 2.5 tonnes per person per year – rather less than the 10 tonnes referred to. If everyone did this, the CO2 would not increase. With the IPCC report last Autumn and the realisation that we need to go beyond this and limit temperature increases to 1.5C, it is necessary to reduce the greenhouse gas inventory, hence the focus on zero carbon by 2050. Against this background, 10 tonnes already seems outdated.
Yash Surana · 27/02/2021 at 16:45
Carbon Footprint can be reduced and many startups help you offset your emissions through carbon credits and invest in cleaner future.
Carbon offsets are quite prevalent, especially after the Paris Agreement as continuous temperature rise and climate catastrophes are a major challenge. Many startups are cropping up in this domain, one of them being FreshFuture, which has portfolio of projects spanning across 3 pillars- (i) renewable energy [wind, solar], (ii) afforestation, (iii) community upliftment through biofue
April Ely · 10/08/2021 at 09:27
Carbon footprint can be reduced by the way you travel. Cycling and walking for instance. Even if you have far to travel, electric bikes can be a great alternative. I find that my Axon bike is great for this https://axonrides.com/