Reducing Portsmouth’s carbon footprint
The city's carbon footprint, calculated in 2005, stands at 1,277,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. That works out at around 6.8 tonnes per resident, which is the same as 272 sacks of potatoes. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change we need to reduce this by about 60% by 2050, so we have a lot to do.
If everyone lived like we do in Portsmouth, we’d need three planets supporting us to survive.
Proposed actions
- Leadership
We will set a stretching target reducing CO2 emissions in Portsmouth, with reduced carbon footprints of major organisations in the city - Energy efficient buildings
All public buildings, private and public sector housing and businesses will need to dramatically increase their energy efficiency, a thermal image of the city has been taken and will show energy wastage in city - Grants
We will provide information on available grants for energy efficiency (such as insulation) and renewable energy options, enable access and remove any barriers to take up - Transport
We will promote the use of more sustainable methods of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport and through the Local Transport Plan identify and implement options for a more sustainable transport infrastructure for the city - Waste
We will reduce emissions from landfill by identifying options for a waste minimisation policy for the city - Planning policies
Through the Local Development Framework Core Strategy we will ensure low carbon developments in Portsmouth and design new communities with a low carbon economy and sustainable lifestyle in mind, where possible we will manage and reduce flood risk in a sustainable way - Sustainable procurement
We will ensure whole life costing is integral to the products and services we use with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions, raising awareness and changing attitudes in the city
Actions that you personally can take
- Don’t leave anything on standby and switch off anything that isn’t being used
- Ensure you’re home is fully insulated
- Fit energy saving light bulbs
- Make walking, cycling or public transport your first choice to get around the city
- Calculate your carbon footprint - use the external link