Personal carbon calculator provided

A NEW carbon calculator which assigns a number to an individual based on their use of energy and fuel is to be made available in the State's libraries.

The carbon calculator, which is in brochure form and is similar to that available on the climate change website, www.change.ie, is aimed at those who don't have access to the internet.

The brochure shows how individual "carbon footprints" can be measured in tonnes of CO2 and provides information on how to reduce emissions and so reduce an individual's impact on climate change.

In Ireland, the average carbon number per person is 12. But in the rest of the EU the average carbon number is just 8.

The Government said the first step in reducing overall carbon emissions was for each individual to calculate their carbon footprint. The Government is committed to reducing emissions by 20 per cent through personal actions, as well as initiatives by the public and private sectors and through the National Climate Change Strategy.

According to Minister for the Environment John Gormley, who launched the calculator yesterday, "much of what we do involves the use of energy generated through burning coal, oil, gas and peat, so the way we live, work and travel has a huge bearing on climate change. No matter how low or high our carbon number is, we can each take some action to reduce that number and help tackle climate change."

The Minister said everyone was conscious of financial cost and was trying to live to a certain financial budget "but we want to help people to realise the environmental cost of their activities too".

"Through the change campaign we are encouraging people to reduce their carbon number by being aware of their 'carbon budget' and trying to minimise activities which have a high carbon cost.

"The first step is for everybody to know their number, their individual contribution to climate change, and this calculator booklet is the way to work it out."

Mr Gormley recommended lower carbon activities, such as walking, cycling or using public transport, instead of driving, avoiding wasting water, switching off lights and appliances when not in use and changing to low-energy light bulbs in homes and workplaces.

The carbon calculator was developed using AMEE, the World's Energy Meter, which was adapted to include relevant data for Ireland, including that from Bord Gáis and the ESB. This first phase of the carbon calculator takes account of energy and heating in an individual's home and travel patterns.