Steps to sustainability

Herefordshire county produced 1,648,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2005.  This is roughly equivalent to the CO2 produced from flying 235,428 times around the world.  

Each person (per head) produced 9.3 tonnes of CO2 in 2005.  Roughly, each person in Herefordshire flying 1.3 times around the world would produce the same amount of CO2. 

What is Herefordshire Council is doing?

Herefordshire Council has set up targets in line with the Government Performance Indicators.  The National Indicator (NI) 186 looks at the Council's performance in reducing per capita CO2 emissions in the Local Authority area.

Herefordshire has set a 2-part CO2 reduction target.

• 13.1% CO2 reduction, per head , from both national and local reduction measures by 2011 (baseline 2005)
• 4.9% CO2 reduction, per head, from local reduction measures by 2011 (baseline 2005)

For example, the baseline figure per head is 9.3 tonnes CO2.  To meet the 4.9% target, we each have to each reduce our emissions by 0.5 tonnes.

Herefordshire Council has also signed up to the Nottingham Declaration.  More information about the Nottingham Declaration can be found on the Energy Savings Trust Site http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/nottingham.   

Herefordshire Council, a partner in the Herefordshire Partnership, signed Herefordshire's Climate Change Strategy '2020 Vision' in June 2006. This aims:

'To place Herefordshire at the forefront of climate change understanding and initiatives within the United Kingdom and to ensure we make our contribution towards tackling this global problem in a coherent, appropriate and beneficial way for Herefordshire'.

What can you do?

Domestic emissions account for 26% of Herefordshire's emissions.  Please visit the websites below for more detailed information on reducing your emissions.  The 'Act on CO2' site has some great money saving ideas for reducing emissions in all areas of your lifestyle, visit http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home.html 

New Leaf

The New Leaf programme has been put together in Herefordshire to collate all the resources and information for people interested in a more sustainable lifestyle.  This new programme for Herefordshire aims to inspire, facilitate and support change in order to develop lower energy lifestyles and a sustainable future for our communities.

New Leaf is able to signpost businesses, individuals, schools, community groups, local authorities or services towards the tools they need to facilitate, fund or structure their actions towards change.  For more information visit http://www.herefordshirenewleaf.org.uk/

The New Leaf website also provides more information on:

• Latest news and information
• Inspiring low carbon ideas
• Local sustainable activities
• Funding information for energy efficiency projects

An events calendar on the site allows you to add events which may be of interest to other members of the public, and allows you to view the upcoming activities and events.

If you would like more information on the New Leaf programme, please contact info@herefordshirenewleaf.org.uk

Other Ideas

• Calculate your Carbon Footprint - Our online Carbon Calculator will enable you to calculate your own carbon footprint and will provide you with tailored advice on how you might reduce this. It also lets you compare your footprint with your parish average so you can get a good indication of how you are doing locally.
• Improve your Home Energy Efficiency - It's easy to reduce our energy usage. Improving home insulation and kicking bad habits such as leaving appliances on standby can save both energy and money.
• Choose Sustainable Travel - Where possible plan your journeys to enable you to carshare, use public transport, walk or cycle. In addition to the environmental benefits, walking and cycling are free and good for you!