Example climate project
Clean water · Uganda
New wells reduce the need to boil water, which protects the forest and cuts emissions.
Carbon calculation: what is a carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases your lifestyle causes in a year, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). It includes carbon dioxide and other gases, such as methane, converted into the same unit based on how much they warm the climate.
Your own footprint is only part of the picture. Encouraging friends to cut theirs and taking part in the public debate, for example on a carbon tax, can also bring carbon dioxide levels down.
How the carbon calculator works, and where to start
ClimateHero's carbon calculator asks simple questions in three areas: housing, travel and consumption. It takes about 5 minutes. From your answers it estimates your yearly emissions in tonnes of CO₂e and shows which areas weigh the most for you, so you know where to start. The calculator works for the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, the Philippines, India and many other countries.
If you'd like to understand CO2e better, try our CO2 emissions calculator.
How to cut your carbon footprint at home, on the move and when you shop
At home: insulate where you can, switch to heating and hot water that don't run on fossil fuels, and choose a renewable electricity tariff or generate your own.
On the move: walk, cycle or take public transport for short trips, share car journeys, and think twice about flights you could avoid.
Food and shopping: eat less beef and lamb, use up the food you buy, and choose second-hand or longer-lasting things.
Want to go further? With a monthly subscription, you fund Gold Standard certified climate projects that cut emissions equal to twice what you can't avoid yet. On the results page you can include everyone in your household.