SHDC encourages residents to reduce carbon footprint and increase quality of life

South Hams District Council and partners are encouraging residents and organisations to take actions that increase quality of life while reducing their carbon footprint and helping to fight climate change. 

“Lifestyle Spring Clean Week” takes place from 12-21 March and is a joint project between the councils and local environmental entrepreneur, Mukti Mitchell which aims to make reducing your carbon footprint simple and enjoyable and show it can lead to healthier, more satisfying lifestyles at the same time.

Other charities in the region, including Resurgence Trust, 361 Energy, Plastic Free North Devon, Beaford Arts and the AONB Biosphere Reserve, have also joined the project, which hopes to reach 25,000 people across the region.

The project has been launched in response to the national climate emergency declared across the UK by local authorities including the four councils. It began last October with "Find your Footprint" week where individuals and organisations could find out their carbon footprint using an online tool and then pick one action from a range of easy lifestyle options that can save CO2. They can now measure their footprint again to see how much it has reduced over the past five months, and celebrate their savings.

Mukti Mitchell, director of Carbon Savvy, a CO2 saving advice provider, said: “It’s exciting that people across Devon are working together to both improve quality of life and save CO2. From my own experience it is the fact that this makes me happier and healthier that makes me so keen to do more. And Carbon Savvy is proud to be launching what we believe are the most accurate and user friendly footprint calculators on line this March, to make it easier and more fun.

Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “On behalf of South Hams District Council I am delighted to be working with Devon based organisation Carbon Savvy on the Get to Net Zero programme. Many people today are acutely aware of the urgent need to protect our environment, but few are aware of the great benefits this can bring for our communities, wildlife and indeed happiness and wellbeing.

Many people today are acutely aware of the urgent need to protect our environment, but few are aware of the great benefits this can bring for our communities, wildlife and indeed happiness and wellbeing

"Carbon Savvy’s positive, uplifting advice shows what’s in it for me as well as the planet. And it’s a way for every one of us to do our bit. I invite everyone in South Hams to join the programme in March and get started on building a better future today.” 

To find out how much carbon you have saved since October go to www.carbonsavvy.uk/findyourfootprint where you can take the survey in just five minutes and compare your carbon footprint.
And whether you’re taking part for the first or second time, you could win an electric bicycle when you take the lifestyle survey and one action at www.carbonsavvy.uk.

SHDC are urging people to "celebrate your savings" by sharing how well you have done on social media using the hashtag #LifestyleSpringClean