Climate change

The efforts of each individual are every bit as important as political action for sustainability on the national and international stage.

We can each take responsibility for doing what we can to rethink our behaviour and making day-to-day decisions for a sustainable lifestyle and society.

These tools can help you better understand the environmental impact of your day-to-day lifestyle and where you can make positive changes:

• UN carbon footprint calculator
• Giki Zero is an online step by step guide to a lighter footprint on the planet. It will help you discover your footprint, find steps to reduce it and celebrate your successes.

Reduce your energy use and bills

Get free and impartial energy saving advice from the national, Government endorsed Simple Energy Advice service on 0800 444202 (freephone helpline). The Energy Savings Trust also provide information and resources to help make your home more energy efficient, reduce your carbon emissions and lower your energy bills.

Warm and Safe Wiltshire on 0800 038 5722 (freephone helpline), offers all residents across Swindon free and impartial energy saving advice, especially those who may be struggling with their fuel bills or keeping warm in their homes.

There’s often a few very easy things you can do to cut your energy use straight away, and without spending lots of money.

Here are some further resources:

• Use this postcode checker to access personalised information on energy efficiency and any grants that might be available in your area
• Get advice for tenants in privately rented properties
• Find free or low-cost things you can do if you live in council or housing association accommodation
• Find information for landlords 
• Find out which appliances in your household are contributing most to your carbon footprint
• Find out about solar panels and air source heat pumps

Switch to a green energy tariff

Switching energy supply to a green tariff is a great way to invest in renewable energy sources and could save you money on bills too. 

• Green energy provides the five need-to-knows from MoneySavingExpert, which is the UK's biggest consumer website.

Leave the car at home

Active travel is all about getting you moving from A to B in ways that don’t use fossil fuels. Active travel not only improves your health and wellbeing, but helps reduce your carbon footprint and can save you money:

• Check out the Swindon walking and cycling maps, local cycling events and journey planner provided by Swindon Travel Choices
• Get advice from the Energy Savings Trust
• Find 20 tips to help you fit 20 minutes of walking into your day via Living Streets
• Find out more about electric cars from Swindon Travel Choices and the Energy Savings Trust

Invest your money responsibly

Find out where your money goes. Voice your concerns about responsible investment by writing to your bank or pension provider, and ask if you can opt out of funds investing in fossil fuels. There are also a number of ‘ethical banks’ you can investigate: 

• Find out more from the free and impartial Money Advice Service set up by the Government 
• Find out what responsible investment means for your pension through Imperial College London
• Go to the Good With Money campaign website for ethical saving suggestions
• Check the ethical credentials of a wide range of saving and investment products with Your Ethical Money website

More information, tools and resources

• The 2030 calculator can help you understand the environmental impact of consumer goods
• Get top tips to reduce your carbon emissions via the Energy Savings Trust
• Find 9 things you can do about climate change through Imperial College London
• Find 16 steps to reduce your emissions through the Count Us In campaign
• Find out what you can do to stop climate change via Friends of the Earth
• ActNow is the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability

Get inspired and inspire others

Have you got any climate change success stories you want to share with your community to help inspire and motivate others?

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at: communications@swindon.gov.uk.