Ahead of schedule on the 25/5 Challenge
3rd January 2007
Southampton Test MP Dr Alan Whitehead has published the first annual monitor of his ‘carbon footprint’ which shows he is ahead of schedule on his target to reduce his own carbon use by 25% over 5 years.
Dr Whitehead’s carbon footprint shrank from 5879kg of CO2 produced in 2004-5 to 5393kg of CO2 produced in 2005-6. This is an 8.2% reduction over a single year.
The 8.2% cut was principally a result of using less gas and electricity over the year thanks to the installation of cavity wall insulation and a heat condensing boiler in Dr Whitehead’s home; and by using trains for more medium and long haul journeys.
Dr Whitehead said:
“I take my responsibility to cut my personal carbon footprint very seriously. But it is also important that everyone living in Southampton is aware of and is able to take similar steps to reduce their own energy use. That is why my amendments to the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act were so important- they will mean, for example, that home owners will in future face much less red tape if they want to install small wind turbines or other microgeneration devices on their properties.”
He added:
“But people can start with simple changes like I did, such as using energy saving light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and using public transport. Every small change adds up to a big difference, as my 8.2% decrease shows.”
An individual’s ‘carbon footprint’ is measured by calculating how much carbon is produced through their use of household gas and electricity, and then adding on how much they have travelled by car, rail, bus and aeroplane.
More information
- View Dr Whitehead's 25/5 Challenge Page
- Dr Whitehead is one of 50 MPs to sign up to the 25/5 challenge to reduce their carbon ‘footprints’ by 25% over 5 years. The challenge was started by fellow Labour MP Colin Challen. You can read the full guide for the challenge here: www.colinchallen.org/files/upld-article27pdf?.pdf
- For more information on Alan Whitehead’s policies on energy and the environment, visit www.alan-whitehead.org.uk/energy.
