Your carbon footprint
As just one person, you might wonder if you can make a difference to climate change. Well, you can, and quite a lot. Because any choice you make to reduce your carbon footprint brings us all closer to a net zero emissions future.
It could be as simple as carpooling once a week, riding your bike to the shops, or installing energy-efficient appliances. Or you might be inspired to start composting, plant a tree or join a local community group.
Whatever smart steps you choose, you’re now part of the solution. And that’s a great feeling.
What’s a carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint is how much carbon — in the form of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane — is released into the atmosphere as a result of your everyday activities. This could include the emissions created to make the electricity you use at home, the direct emissions created when you burn fossil fuel gas at home, or the petrol or diesel used by your car. It also includes the methane emissions from organic waste.
There are many small steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.
Reduce transport emissions
Transport makes up about 64% of emissions in the ACT and most of these emissions are from private car use.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by:
- walking or cycling around town
- carpooling with friends and family
- choosing public transport
- using a park and ride facility
- car-sharing
- using zero emissions vehicles and/or
- riding e-bikes and scooters.
Did you know?
- Each day you leave your car at home, you reduce your carbon footprint by around 8kg.
- Switching to an electric vehicle could save you around $18,000 on running costs over 10 years and could reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by around 3 tonnes per year.
- The ACT Government offers 2 years’ free registration and a stamp duty exemption for zero emissions vehicles. Electric motor bikes and scooters are also eligible for a registration discount.
- Calculate and compare the total cost of purchasing and owning a zero emissions vehicle.
Improve energy efficiency
The ACT's electricity supply is already 100% renewable, and the ACT Government has committed to transition off fossil fuel gas by 2045.
At home, you can reduce your carbon footprint by ensuring that you’re using energy sustainably and efficiently. Find out more about how to improve energy efficiency.
Did you know?
- Upgrading your gas ducted space heating system to an efficient electric reverse cycle air conditioning system can reduce your emissions by around 20 tonnes over the system’s life while saving about $500 per year on heating bills.
- Upgrading your gas hot water system to a hot water heat pump can help reduce your emissions by around 10 tonnes over the heat pump’s life.
- You can develop a personal home energy plan to go all-electric and save with our make your next choice electric webtool.
Reduce waste
Emissions from waste make up about 4% of the ACT’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
You can reduce your carbon footprint when you:
- start a compost or worm farm
- divert organic waste from landfill by shopping smart and eating leftovers
- take your own bags or containers to the supermarket
- say no to single-use plastics
- choose products with less packaging and less waste at the end of the product’s life
- reuse items or donate them to op shops rather than sending to landfill
- buy second hand items and
- recycle everything you can.
Did you know?
- In the ACT, around 35% of the average household bin is food waste and 12% are items that could have been recycled.
- Sending waste to landfill results in over 150,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT every year.
- In Australia, the contents of 1 in 5 shopping bags end up in the bin. That's around $3,800 worth of groceries wasted per household each year.
Other ways to make a difference
There are lots of other ways you can make a difference. For example, you could:
- join a community group, or
- explore the various programs and rebates available for households, schools and businesses.
Ready to start? Get help from our one stop shop
Our Sustainable Home Advice service is your one stop shop to get information on how to reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. You can also learn about what ACT Government supports and rebates you may be eligible for.
ACT Businesses can receive advice and support in the areas of energy, transport, waste and water through the Sustainable Business Program. Businesses can register for the free program to access rebates, resources, advice and accreditation.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.