| Well, basically carbon offsetting helps you to | | | | UK’s target is to cut its emissions by 12.5 |
| offset the carbon dioxide that you use when | | | | percent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. |
| flying or driving etc by planting trees or installing | | | | However, the UK government is convinced that |
| solar panels and thereby removing your | | | | the UK can and should go further. The Kyoto |
| contribution to global climate change. You | | | | Protocol is only the first step. The Government |
| contribute to pollution by driving; you reduce the | | | | has therefore set a domestic goal to go further |
| pollution by planting trees! You are carbon neutral! | | | | than the Kyoto commitment and cut the |
| What is Carbon Dioxide? | | | | UK’s emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 |
| Carbon Dioxide is an inevitable product of the | | | | percent below 1990 levels by 2010. |
| way we all live today. It is produced primarily | | | | You Can Make a Difference, This is How |
| through the burning of fossil fuels in: - | | | | You, your business or employer may be already |
| • electricity generation | | | | taking steps to tackle their carbon dioxide (CO2) |
| • the powering of vehicles, trains and aircraft | | | | emissions at source using renewable energy and |
| • home heating and cooking (gas, wood, coal, | | | | efficiency measures wherever possible. An |
| oil) | | | | initiative that offers extra action for businesses to |
| Using Renewable Energy is one way of reducing | | | | offset their remaining CO2 emissions through tree |
| the amount of fossil fuel that we burn via homes | | | | planting. |
| and businesses. | | | | By supporting tree planting across the UK, |
| Gases released into the atmosphere by human | | | | businesses can help to create valuable woodland |
| activity are forming an insulating barrier around | | | | that will grow to sequester (absorb and store) |
| the Earth, preventing the natural release of heat | | | | CO2 pollution and in so doing, help with the fight |
| from our atmosphere. There are a number of | | | | against climate change. |
| gases that are held responsible for this process, | | | | In addition to the environmental benefits of |
| which is sometimes referred to as ‘the | | | | absorbing atmospheric carbon as they grow and |
| greenhouse effect’. While methane and other | | | | mature, woodland provides a rich and important |
| gases contribute to the problem, the chief culprit, | | | | habitat valued by wildlife and people alike. |
| by virtue of the volumes produced, is carbon | | | | By using a simple carbon calculator you can obtain |
| dioxide. | | | | an idea of how much carbon dioxide you, your |
| Currently, around one quarter of carbon emissions | | | | family, your business are responsible for producing |
| are absorbed by the soil and one quarter by the | | | | each year. Using data sources you can calculate |
| oceans. | | | | how many trees you need to plant to offset or |
| The Kyoto Protocol, negotiated by more than 160 | | | | balance your carbon dioxide production. Your |
| nations, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions | | | | lifestyle can then be said to be carbon neutral or |
| by setting legally binding emissions reduction | | | | balanced. |
| targets for developed countries. Under Kyoto, the | | | | |