How we contribute to climate change

To generate that energy, we burn fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) that produce greenhouse gases - in particular carbon dioxide (CO₂). Car emissions are a huge problem but the truth is that more CO₂ comes from the energy we use at home. The average household creates around five and a half tonnes of CO₂ a year, and it's that same CO₂ that's changing our climate and damaging the environment.

Our CO₂ emissions

In 2008, total UK CO₂ emissions were 533 million tonnes. 27% (144 million tonnes) of those emissions came from the energy we use to heat, light and power our homes. Our transport emissions caused by passenger cars, buses and mopeds and motorcycles account for a further 16% (87 million tonnes) of CO₂ emissions.

2005 UK CO2 emissions came to 554 million tonnes

The greenhouse effect

CO₂ and various other gases wrap the earth in an invisible blanket helping to prevent heat from escaping. Without this greenhouse effect, the average temperature on Earth would be around -18ºC, compared with the current average of around +15ºC. The composition of this blanket of gases has remained relatively constant for many thousands of years.

Since the industrial revolution began around 200 years ago, people have been burning growing amounts of fossil fuels - releasing more CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the process. This has increased the heating effect of the blanket, trapping more of the sun's energy inside our atmosphere. In turn the Earth's temperature has increased more rapidly in a shorter period of time than it has for thousands of years.

• Find out more about the greenhouse effect or climate change
• Find out how you can reduce your impact on climate change

• Complete the Act on CO₂ calculator and find out your carbon footprint.