Here we look at my Carbon Offset for May and the Kariba Forest Protection Carbon Offset Project. This is part of our series on Living Sustainably.
Here’s this month’s update looking at my carbon footprint for May using the CoGo app to understand, offset, and push me to reduce my carbon footprint.
How My Carbon Footprint Is Calculated
As CoGo app is already connected with my bank, CoGo automatically calculates my carbon footprint by analysing my banking data and matching each transaction to an industry, such as grocery, insurance etc.
Each transaction has an ‘emissions factor’ based on the industry, e.g. £1 spent at a UK fashion retailer creates on average 1kg CO2e.
CoGo then adjusts the emissions factor for certain companies, e.g. renewable energy providers and second-hand clothing businesses or for food spending based on diet where data from the ONS is used as the basis for diet adjustments.
CoGo then totals all of the carbon footprint from transactions each month.
The current average monthly carbon footprint of a UK citizen is approx. 1,058kgs. However, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it’s recommended that each of us has a carbon footprint of only 180kgs a month by 2030.
I already consider myself to be ‘good’ when it comes to reducing and minimising my impact, however, the CoGo app has made me realise that I need to do more.
The point of this series of posts is to put me under the spotlight and to push myself to do as much as possible at the same time as living a meaningful life and enjoy the miracle of a planet that we live on.
My Carbon Footprint for May
In April my carbon footprint was 1,079kg so I’m happy to have reduced my carbon footprint for May to 751kg, which is the same as cutting down 12 trees or driving 1,863 miles in a car. Still a way off the target of 180kg for a sustainable lifestyle so I have more work to do.
My Carbon Footprint Breakdown
Last month’s carbon footprint is broken down into these categories:
- Food and drink = 204kg
- Around my home = 0kg
- Stuff I buy = 43kg
- Getting around = 324kg
- Unknown = 179kg
Offsetting Last Month’s Carbon Footprint
Now, carbon offsets are not the solution, but they are better than doing nothing while I work to reduce my impact.
The CoGo app includes an easy way to choose and pay for carbon offsets for each month’s carbon emissions.
This Month’s Carbon Offset Project
This month I chose the Kariba Forest Protection Carbon Offset Project.
The goal of this project is to save forests, protect wildlife, and change lives in Zimbabwe.
Why? In recent decades, Zimbabwe has suffered from political and economic turbulence. With limited economic opportunities, desperate communities have delved deeper into the forests, clearing it for subsistence farming and fuelwood. More than a third of Zimbabwe’s majestic forests have been lost. Creating further instability for people with already precarious livelihoods.
The Project Contributes to These UN Sustainable Development Goals
1. No Poverty: USD 249,000+ income generated by the local community from beekeeping, moringa tree and community garden sales.
2. Zero Hunger: 18 nutritional gardens set up are increasing food security.
3. Good Health and Well-Being: 14 health clinics supported with safe drinking water.
4. Quality Education: 18,000+ people attending 430 workshops on project-related activities, such as nutritional gardening and beekeeping to date.
5. Gender Equality: –
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: 37,000 people have access to safe drinking water, thanks to 147 boreholes being repaired.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: –
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: 22 Permanent jobs created thanks to the project.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: USD 57,000+ spent on supporting health clinics and schools.
10. Reduced Inequalities: –
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: –
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: –
13. Climate Action: 3,620,000 tonnes of CO2e mitigated on average each year since the project started in 2011.
14. Life Below Water: –
15. Life on Land: 784,987 hectares of forest protected.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: –
17. Partnerships for the Goals: International partnerships between local communities, national and international organisations and carbon experts to deliver sustainable, long-term benefits.
You can find out more about this carbon offset project at Kariba Forest Protection.
Here Is What You Can Do
- Start using the CoGo app and offset your monthly emissions
- Take a look at the South Pole Climate Action Projects
- Be inspired. We can help climate change if we do something about it
- Talk to your friends and colleagues
- Share this with others
Want to Continue Your Journey?
Where Next?
There is so much inspiring information to give you ideas of how to help climate change by growing, eating, and living sustainably, you can:
- Read Our Articles
- Sign-Up to Our Free Email Newsletter
- Get Started and Vote with Your Money
- Try the Sustainability Roadmap
- Use the Company Directory
- Support Nafford Junction
Help Us Inspire Others
If you are passionate about helping climate change, please consider supporting Nafford Junction, you can:
- Become a Patron to Give Regular Contributions
- Buy Me a Coffee to Make a One-Off Contribution
- Create for Us and Publish Thought Provoking Content
- Become an Inspiring Leader and Advertise with Us
- Go to NaffordJunction.co.uk/support
Want to Continue Your Journey?
Where Next?
There is so much inspiring information to give you ideas of how to help climate change by growing, eating, and living sustainably, you can:
- Read Our Articles
- Sign-Up to Our Free Email Newsletter
- Get Started and Vote with Your Money
- Try the Sustainability Roadmap
- Use the Company Directory
- Support Nafford Junction
Help Us Inspire Others
If you are passionate about helping climate change, please consider supporting Nafford Junction, you can:
- Become a Patron to Give Regular Contributions
- Buy Me a Coffee to Make a One-Off Contribution
- Create for Us and Publish Thought Provoking Content
- Become an Inspiring Leader and Advertise with Us
- Go to NaffordJunction.co.uk/support
Sources Used to Create This
Production Notes
This was produced by me, James Walters, as a personal project to help stop climate change by inspiring others to grow, eat, and live sustainably.
Any advice given is the opinion of those involved and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice.
* We include links we think you will find useful. If you buy through those links, we may earn a small commission. It’s one way to support our work and to inspire as many people as possible.
Production Notes
This was produced by me, James Walters, as a personal project to help stop climate change by inspiring others to grow, eat, and live sustainably.
Any advice given is the opinion of those involved and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice.
* We include links we think you will find useful. If you buy through those links, we may earn a small commission. It’s one way to support our work and to inspire as many people as possible.