Here we look at how I reduced my carbon footprint for June 2022 with the Huóshuĭ Small Hydropower carbon offset project. All done using the CoGo app to understand my carbon footprint and pay for projects that reduce my carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and bring real benefits for local communities. This is part of our series on Living Sustainably.
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 to live a climate positive lifestyle.
My Carbon Footprint for June
In May my carbon footprint was 1,195kg so I’m happy to have reduced my carbon footprint for June to 978kg (978kg is the same as cutting down 16 trees or driving 2,426 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 = 263kg
- Around my home = 0kg
- Stuff I buy = 336kg
- Getting around = 191kg
- Unknown = 188kg
About Carbon Offsets
Now, carbon offsets are not the solution, but they are better than doing nothing while I work to reduce my impact, and while it becomes possible to move 100% to using only green and renewable technology etc.
Emission reduction projects can generate “ex ante” or “ex post” certificates:
- “Ex ante” means that the certificates are issued before the actual emission reduction.
- “Ex post” certificates are only issued after the emission reduction.
The CoGo app makes it easy, and low cost, to purchase carbon offset projects from South Pole. As South Pole focuses on verified climate protection, over 99% of the emission credits from South Pole’s portfolio come from “ex-post” climate protection projects, where the climate impact is verified and calculated before the certificates are issued. Read more about South Pole Carbon Offset Projects.
The science shows clearly that in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Currently, the Earth is already about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 [UN Net Zero Coalition]. Using the CoGo app and purchasing verified emission reduction projects through South Pole is one very powerful, low cost, and easy way to quickly reduce emissions whilst we transition to green and renewable.
This Month’s Carbon Offset Project
This month I chose the Huóshuĭ Small Hydropower Carbon Offset Project: Clean energy for China’s remote mountain communities.
Why? The powerful rivers of China’s mountainous areas can be harnessed to generate electricity for its remote communities and the wider region, but hydroelectric power plants require substantial investment to set up. Prior to the project, local communities experienced poor living conditions. At a time when 80 percent of China’s energy demands were met by coal-fired power stations, these communities had unreliable access to electricity and there was little regional investment.
The Project Contributes to These UN Sustainable Development Goals
1. No Poverty: –
2. Zero Hunger: –
3. Good Health and Well-Being: –
4. Quality Education: 192 students involved in educational programmes, learning about environmental protection.
5. Gender Equality: 240 women employed by the project, representing about 25% of total workers.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: –
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: 740,000 MWh of renewable energy generated on average annually.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: 179 people in surrounding villages take part in agricultural training programmes.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: –
10. Reduced Inequalities: –
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: –
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: –
13. Climate Action: 369,000 tonnes of CO2e mitigated on average each year.
14. Life Below Water: –
15. Life on Land: –
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: –
17. Partnerships for the Goals: –
You can find out more about this carbon offset project at Huóshuĭ Small Hydropower.
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
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.
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