Last update:
24th July 2007
Quick links:
Making a start
Conserving your local environment
Home energy
Transport
Waste
Water
Acting Corporately
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Acting Individually
A guide to what you can do to help the environment - from
saving water to shopping locally.
Latest additions...
If you know of a good site then let
us know
Getting started
Organisations and websites that will help you to find out how environmentally
friendly you are and where you can improve
Organisation and link |
what to expect |
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Defra's
Act on CO2 calculator is designed to increase understanding
of the link between individual action and climate change, through
carbon dioxide emissions. It also raises awareness of the different
actions people can take in their everyday lives to help tackle climate
change.
The calculator enables people to reliably calculate their carbon
footprint from home energy, appliances and transport. They can also
choose to calculate their own personal footprint or their household’s.
The calculator then develops a personalised action plan for users,
with steps they can take to cut their emissions.
Mr Miliband has made a video about the Act on CO2 calculator. Play
the video by going to YouTube
.
The Act on CO2 calculator has a range of features, including:
- Three areas of lifestyle brought together in one calculator
– home, electrical appliances, and personal travel
- Advice tailored to the information people give the calculator,
rather than generic CO2-saving tips
- Recommendations on reducing and avoiding energy waste, not
just offsetting it.
- The software that runs the calculator, complete with the Government
data, will be made freely available under general public licence.
This will enable others wanting to use the software to power their
own calculators, using their own branding.
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A comprehensive website from DirectGov containing information
on just about everything that you can do to reduce your environmental
impact, including:
- A quick guide
- A greener home
- A greener garden
- Waste & recycling
- Energy & water saving
- Greener shopping
- Greener travel
- Greener work, school & community
- Greener food & drink
- Greener life events (such as moving home, DIY & holidays)
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We all need to make different choices if we are to achieve the
vision of sustainable development. This is particularly true for
our everyday actions in and around the home. We have compiled the
following information and links to provide advice on how you can
make a difference. For ease of reference we have broken the information
down into the following areas:
- Energy
- Water
- Waste
- Food
- Tourism
- Travel
Advice
& support for business is also available |
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How green are you?
Take a few minutes to complete a series of questions that will
analyse the habits of both you and the people that you live with.
The GreenScore applies to 'households' so you may have to consider
more than just your own behaviour.
It shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes to complete and by the
end of it you'll be given loads of useful tips to make your home
'greener'! Your individual answers will be treated in the strictest
confidence and will not be passed to any other organisation. Happy
scoring! |
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Find out your personal impact by using a simple online ecological
footprint calculator estimate your own ecological footprint. Are
you an average South West person, find out more about the South
West Eco-Footprint. |
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Clean up your CO2 emissions quickly and efficiently, by using
the simple calculators. You can calculate your emissions from your
flights, energy use and/or car travel.
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Personal Stepwise™ is a user-friendly program to calculate
personal Ecological Footprints. It is suitable for a range of ages
and lifestyles and is designed to make people think about how individual
actions can make a difference.
NB. Charge applicable |
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Calculate your CO2 emissions for a single car journey, according
to the type of car you own, size of engine & miles travelled.
Results are given in kg, tonnes and the number of trees that you
would need to plant in order to make that journey carbon neutral. |
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What are what we do aims to change the world (just a small thing
then!) and, most importantly, have fun whilst doing it.
The website contains simple, everyday actions you can do to help
change the world - at home, at school, at work or out and about.
Register for a personal action tracker, suggest actions of your
own or get involved with the wide range of facilities and actions
available. |
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Are you doing your bit? DEFRA's 'are you doing your bit?' Website
- information, advice, campaigns |
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Helping people to make positive changes at home, at work, at
school and in the wider community.
Global Action Plan have developed a range of programmes, tools
and advice to make it a little easier. This includes a wide range
of programmes for helping to reduce our environmental impact in
the home, work school or community. |
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What can communities do? This government website provides examples
of local action including:
- Recycle more and reduce waste
- Tackle climate change
- Travel wisely
- Plan a better future
- Create a fairer world
- Create cleaner, safer, greener and healthier communities
- Support local food initiatives
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The Green Providers Directory has links to hundreds of organic,
green goods and services including renewable energy suppliers, fair
trade clothing, gifts and gadgets. We also provide news, updates
and blogs on the environment, recycling, energy efficiency and climate
change. |
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Sustainability top tips |
Energy
Organisations and websites that help you to look at your energy use,
how you can be more efficient and renewable energy sources
Organisation & link
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What to expect
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| Funding available from the Community Energy Sustainable Programme (BRE) |
Grants are open to not-for-profit community based organisations in England. The maximum grant available is £5,000 or 75% of the study cost - whichever is lower.
Who can apply:
- community groups with a governing document
- registered charities and trusts
- parish councils; schools and colleges
- companies that have a charitable purpose and a community focus (eg. companies limited by guarantee, social enterprises, community interest companies, where any surpluses are mainly reinvested for community benefit)
- mutual societies
- church based and other faith organisations
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Friends of the Earth provide some really simple & no-cost
measures which will help you to save energy (and money). Advice
includes subtle changes to your habits around:
- Heating
- Hot water
- Cooking
- Appliances
- Refrigeration
- Washing machines
- Tumble dryers
- Lighting
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Start saving energy and money today with simple measures, including:
- Online home energy check - get a free evaluation of your home's
energy efficiency, then use the guide to find the products that
can save you money.
- Ten point energy plan - start saving energy and money right
away.
- Simple tips for your car - reduce your running costs whilst
also reducing emissions.
- Energy wastage tour - see where your home may be wasting energy
and your money.
- Grant and offer finder to help make your home more energy efficient
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(South West Renewable Energy Agency) |
Advice on renewable energy for business, local authorities and
individuals including:
- Support for business - a developing business support section
providing links to suppliers and funding information
- Support for local authorities - providing a policy framework
that underpins renewable energy development and is able to offer
local planning authorities a high standard of independent advice
- Support for individuals - including links to other organisations
with extensive resources to support generation of renewable energy
in your home, choosing to use green electricity and for landowners
considering developments on their property.
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This site will give you information on:
- How much money you (householder, not-for-profit organisation)
can qualify for
- What technologies qualify for a Clear Skies grant
- How to apply and eligibility
- How communities can apply for feasibility studies
- Which installers are approved under the grant scheme
- Which products qualify for a grant
- How manufacturers can get their products listed
- How installers can apply to become approved
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Windsave is a small wind turbine designed to fit to your chimney
or roof in order to provide an environmentally-friendly, low-cost
source of sustainable energy, providing an opportunity for every
property in Britain to play a part in "the Green Revolution".
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Use the interactive energy efficient house as a source of useful
hints and tips to help reduce your energy bills and help protect
the environment. Facilities include:
- An energy efficiency audit to help find out how energy efficient
your home is
- Reduce your bills - protect the environment
- Schemes and initiatives to help make significant savings on
your energy bill
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Clean up your CO2 emissions quickly and efficiently, by using
the simple calculators. You can calculate your emissions from your
flights, energy use and/or car travel.
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Energy Efficiency Advice Centres (EEACs) provide free, impartial
and locally relevant energy efficiency advice to householders and
small businesses across the United Kingdom. Facilities include:
- Energy saving tips
- Online home energy questionnaire
- Advice on renewable energy
- Grants available in Bristol, Somerset & South Gloucestershire
in 2005
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Aiming to actively integrate sustainable energy into public,
private and community sector strategies by:
- Encouraging the inclusion of sustainable energy initiatives
into existing partnerships and programmes
- Promoting the development of new sustainable energy programmes
- Prioritising activities that explicitly address climate change
and fuel poverty issues
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Warm Front is the Government's main grant-funded programme for
tackling fuel poverty. It provides packages of insulation and heating
measures depending upon the needs of the householder and the construction
of the property.
The scheme offers:
1. Grants of up to £1,500 - offering packages of insulation
such as loft and/or cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, gas
wall heaters, dual element foam insulated immersion tank, heating
repairs and replacements. The grant is available to:
- Households, with children under the age of 16, in receipt of
an income-related benefit
- Pregnant women, who receive an income-related benefit and have
a MAT B1 certificate provided by their doctor
- Households who receive a disability benefit
2. Grants of up to £2,500 - are available to households
who are over 60 and receive an income-related benefit. The grant
provides insulation measures and, for those who do not have an existing
heating system, a central heating system for the main living areas
of the household.
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A campaign to give information and advice about staying well
in winter by keeping warm. This year’s campaign will be launching
on 3rd October and will run until 31st March in England only.
The campaign offers promotional material including an information
booklet which provides advice on remaining healthy in cold weather,
energy efficiency and grants and benefits available for financially
disadvantaged older people, young families and disabled people.
It is supported by the Winter Warmth Advice Line from whom callers
can get further information on keeping warm and well this winter,
including advice on their eligibility for grants and benefits. |
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How to keep warm and healthy, heat your home, get help with bills
and improving your home, including advice on:
- Why you need to keep warm
- Get ready for winter
- Keep warm, dress well
- Keep warm, eat well
- Keep warm, keep moving
- Keeping a warm home
- Money to pay for making your home warmer
- Keep well, heat well
- Help with heating bills
- What to do if you feel ill
- Help and advice
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Transport
Organisations and websites to help you plan your journeys via foot, bike,
public transport and car share as well as safely reducing the impact of
your journeys
Organisation & Link |
What to expect |
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A website dedicated to helping people car share:
- Free to use - simply share travel costs
- Find drivers and passengers on-line instantly
- Find information on travel and public transport
- Reduce the congestion and pollution on our roads
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Plan a safe route to cycle by using Sustrans' online mapping
facility or find one of the many national
routes, day
ride routes and much more in the South West |
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Impartial information on planning your journey, by bus, coach
or train ... or any combination of the three!
This facility gives information for door to door travel by public
transport. |
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An important objective underlying the whole of the Department's
transport strategy is balancing the need to travel with the need
to improve quality of life.
This site describes the Department's work to promote initiatives
that can reduce congestion, improve local environments and encourage
healthier and safer lifestyles. |
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Aiming to create a Safe Route to School for every child in the
UK. Facilities include:
- School travel plans
- Events & news
- Case studies
- Routes 2 action
- Resource library
- Shop
- Tailored information on how to get involved whether you are
a parent, pupil, local authority, teacher or governor.
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Waste (or is it?)
Organisations and websites that will help you to understand the waste
that you produce, how reduce it and how to buy more environmentally friendly
products
Organisation & link |
What to expect |
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You may have a variety of products in your home, garage or garden
shed that you use to control pests and deal with problems around
the home and garden. These products contain (or 'active ingredients')
which if misused or disposed of incorrectly can damage the environment.
For example, they can pollute water and kill wildlife.
This page gives advice on how to dispose of your pesticides safely. |
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We all produce waste at home and at work. The goods and services
we rely on result in waste being produced - in fact much more waste
is produced by businesses working for us than householders at home.
Find out about the duties and responsibilties of local authorities. |
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WRAP was established in 2001 in response to the UK Government's
Waste Strategy 2000 to promote sustainable waste management. Its
duties include reducing waste at home, recycling and composting
more and engaging the public by raising awareness of the need to
reduce waste & recycle more.
This comprehensive website includes:
- Publications according to waste type
- Support for local authorities on reaching waste targets
- Waste minimisation programme
- Waste materials programmes
- Business & finance advice
- News
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A comprehensive website providing information on:
- Where to recycle - your nearest recycling facilities
- Buying recycled
- Top tips for recycling
- Recycling champions
- Home composting
- Campaigns
- News
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The Real Nappy Campaign advocates the use of reusable nappies
over disposable
- A beginners guide to real nappies
- Fact sheet on home laundering
- Fact sheet on how real nappies save money
- Top tips to reduce the environmental impacts of real nappies
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A guide to recycled products, including background information
about what makes a recycled product and links to where they can
be bought. |
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A comprehensive listing of recycled products available in the
UK with details of over 3200 recycled products. |
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The modern, economical and effortless way to give a new home
to unwanted, but still usable, large household items. Everything
listed is free-of-charge when you collect it.
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The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups
across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving
(& getting) stuff for free in their own towns.
When you want some new furniture or need to find a new home for
something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old
door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of your
Freecycle group.
Log on to find or pass on your items or find your nearest Freecycle
group. |
Water
Organisations and websites to help you to understand your water use and
how to reduce it
Organisation & link |
what to expect |
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Are you saving water?
Saving water at home, in the garden or at work takes very little
effort, but makes a surprisingly big difference.
In general, this involves simply cutting out the amount of water
we are wasting through our day-to-day habits. Turning the taps off
when you brush your teeth, can save up to 5 litres a minute? If
the entire adult population of England and Wales did this, we could
save a total of 180 mega litres a day, enough to supply nearly 500,000
houses.
Find out how you can start saving water by following a range of
top tips for the garden and home. |
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A collaboration of top water saving tips in the garden by Alan
Titmarsh and the Environment Agency. |
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Simple ways to save water around the home - and in the garden.
With South West Water's waterwise tips you can start saving water
today.
Take a look to see how you are doing:
- In the bathroom
- In the kitchen
- In the garden
- Water leaks
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Whatever the weather, you can keep your garden looking beautiful
and save water too with Wessex Water's top 10 tips |
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Save water with a hippo!
Hippo the Water Saver is the simple, proven and low cost alternative
to help conserve water in toilet cisterns. Every time a toilet is
flushed the Hippo saves approximately 3 litres of water. |
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Have your say!
An indepth look at water issues at home and acorss the world, including:
- Overview of water issues
- Hotspot map of the world's shrinking lakes & dwindling rivers
- Have your say - topical water based debate
- Ask the experts
- Water privatisation
- ...and much more
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Wildlife / outdoors
Organisations and websites that will help you to enjoy the great outdoors
without making an impact, understand & protect wildlife and get involved
in local environmental projects
Organisation & link |
What to expect |
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This website provides details and maps for more than 1800 walks,
rides and areas of open access provided under the Countryside Stewardship
and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes.
Search the walk and rides database according to county. Details
include:
- Summary of the walk
- Grid reference / OS map number
- Length of walk
- Nearest town
- Best time to visit
- Access end date
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A website offering information and advice to those using pesticides
in their garden or allotment, or on their houseplants, including:
- What are pesticides?
- Alternatives to pesticides
- Which pesticides can I use in my garden?
- Withdrawing garden pesticides
- How do I use a pesticide?
- Storing pesticides
- Disposing of pesticides
- Contact us
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BTCV is the UK’s leading charity creating better environments
where people feel valued, included and involved. Information includes:
- Community and schools
- Volunteering opportunities
- Training and jobs
- Be inspired to create Breathing Space for nature where you live
- Shop & services
- Special projects
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Some useful resources to help you find out what to do and where
to go,including:
- Active Places (Sport England)
- The Countryside Agency's website - advice and links to keep
you safe and ensure you get the best enjoyment possible from your
visits, whilst protecting the countryside now and for future generations.
- The Countryside Code 2004
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
- Forthcoming recreation events across England and Wales, including
National Fishing Week, the National Waterways Festival and Embrace
Wind.
- Recreation - an overview
- Waterscape.com - a great place to find water-based activities
in any part of Britain.
- Watersports Participation 2004: an interesting user survey
from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
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Free recreation guides are available for downloading:
- River Severn Canoe Guide
- River Medway - a user's guide
- River Medway - great things to do
- Harbour of Rye - a mariner's guide
- River Thames - Out & About Guides
- Canoe Guide to the River Stour (2005 update)
- Free leaflets covering everything from hiring a boat to camping
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The Wildlife Trusts
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The Wildlife Trusts partnership is the UK's leading conservation
charity dedicated to all wildlife.
There is a network of 47 local Wildlife Trusts and our junior branch,
Wildlife Watch, work together with local communities to protect
wildlife in all habitats across the UK, in towns, countryside, wetlands
and seas. Find your local wildlife trust:
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Groundwork's purpose is 'to build sustainable communities through
joint environmental action'. |
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