How our lives generate emissions and what we can do about it

Divide UK greenhouse gas emissions by the number of people in the country, and you get a figure of about 12.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide, or equivalent, per person. About half of this – approximately 6.0 tonnes – is directly created by the individual in running a house, a car and taking transport. The other half – about 6.5 tonnes – is generated by other activities, such as running offices, making fertilizer, smelting iron ore and transporting goods in lorries. The total figure of 12.5 tonnes, or equivalent, certainly needs to fall to 3 tonnes or less if we are to meet any of our long-term climate change ambitions.