March is Green Month 2022

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We got together again with Pirate FM to celebrate

'Green Month' during March 2022

Cornwall’s carbon footprint is four million tonnes and needs to be seven times smaller to help Cornwall become carbon neutral. Every single person has a part to play in helping reduce that number.

Being Carbon Neutral means we don't create more carbon than the planet naturally absorbs. Too much carbon in the atmosphere contributes to Climate Change, which is already causing issues across the globe.

Where do our Carbon Emissions come from?

Most of Cornwall's carbon emissions come from road transport (23%), commercial and industrial buildings (22%), our homes (22%) and agriculture (21%). With the remainder coming from our waste, industrial processes, aviation and rail transport and marine navigation.

Cornwall’s carbon footprint is shrinking by about 2% a year and needs to shrink by 10% a year. So as well as everything that is already being done, there's still more that we need to do.


  • 1 tonne of carbon = 4 double decker buses
  • Cornwall’s carbon footprint is 4 million tonnes = 16 million double deckers!
  • The average person has a 13 tonne carbon lifestyle = 52 double deckers
  • The ideal carbon lifestyle is 5 tonnes = 20 double deckers.



Image: Carbon Visuals http://www.carbonvisuals.com

So what can we do?

The good news is, there's a lot we can do individually. Every single change will help get us get Cornwall closer to Carbon Neutrality.

Individuals can make a start by finding out what your carbon footprint is and how you can reduce it, with the WWF environmental footprint calculator

Businesses can access a range of ideas on what they can do. Ideas for general actions to take, or actions targeted to specific types of business can be found at the UK SME Climate Hub. If you want to understand the level of your emissions and to work out what actions to prioritise to make both reductions in carbon emissions and cost savings, the Carbon Trust Energy Management Self-assessment tools is a good place to start. The Carbon Trust Emissions Calculator can be used to review your energy, transport and process emissions. Also the RMS guide to reducing your carbon footprint and environmental impact has some useful resources.

Community groups can use the new IMPACT Community scale carbon calculator to develop a visual representation of your community's carbon footprint. The calculator can help you to spot the areas where your community climate change activities can make the biggest difference: https://impact-tool.org.uk/

Cornwall's County Choir performed Coldplay’s ‘Fix you’ at the Music for Youth Prom. The Choir chose the song to express how they feel about the Climate Emergency.

Where to start?

Sometimes it's easier to focus on one thing and then add to your changes as that becomes habit.
Start small and grow, for example you could...

  • Try to take public transport, walk or cycle more instead of taking the car for journeys under three miles
  • Switch your electricity and heating to a company that produces or uses only green energy and turn your thermostat down by one degree
  • Shop locally for your food
  • Mend things instead of throwing them away and keeping equipment, like your phone, for longer.

Young people in Truro and Penwith Colleges and Cornwal''s Eco Schools worked together to produce their own pledges for the planet.

The Imperial College London together with the Grantham Institute have drawn up a list of nine things you can do about Climate Change

Each of the pledges and lists above has a range of changes you can make - what will you choose, can you manage one or two or all of them?

More ideas

Take a look at our Green Month ideas below for suggestions on how you can help Climate Change every day and not just during March!

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We got together again with Pirate FM to celebrate

'Green Month' during March 2022

Cornwall’s carbon footprint is four million tonnes and needs to be seven times smaller to help Cornwall become carbon neutral. Every single person has a part to play in helping reduce that number.

Being Carbon Neutral means we don't create more carbon than the planet naturally absorbs. Too much carbon in the atmosphere contributes to Climate Change, which is already causing issues across the globe.

Where do our Carbon Emissions come from?

Most of Cornwall's carbon emissions come from road transport (23%), commercial and industrial buildings (22%), our homes (22%) and agriculture (21%). With the remainder coming from our waste, industrial processes, aviation and rail transport and marine navigation.

Cornwall’s carbon footprint is shrinking by about 2% a year and needs to shrink by 10% a year. So as well as everything that is already being done, there's still more that we need to do.


  • 1 tonne of carbon = 4 double decker buses
  • Cornwall’s carbon footprint is 4 million tonnes = 16 million double deckers!
  • The average person has a 13 tonne carbon lifestyle = 52 double deckers
  • The ideal carbon lifestyle is 5 tonnes = 20 double deckers.



Image: Carbon Visuals http://www.carbonvisuals.com

So what can we do?

The good news is, there's a lot we can do individually. Every single change will help get us get Cornwall closer to Carbon Neutrality.

Individuals can make a start by finding out what your carbon footprint is and how you can reduce it, with the WWF environmental footprint calculator

Businesses can access a range of ideas on what they can do. Ideas for general actions to take, or actions targeted to specific types of business can be found at the UK SME Climate Hub. If you want to understand the level of your emissions and to work out what actions to prioritise to make both reductions in carbon emissions and cost savings, the Carbon Trust Energy Management Self-assessment tools is a good place to start. The Carbon Trust Emissions Calculator can be used to review your energy, transport and process emissions. Also the RMS guide to reducing your carbon footprint and environmental impact has some useful resources.

Community groups can use the new IMPACT Community scale carbon calculator to develop a visual representation of your community's carbon footprint. The calculator can help you to spot the areas where your community climate change activities can make the biggest difference: https://impact-tool.org.uk/

Cornwall's County Choir performed Coldplay’s ‘Fix you’ at the Music for Youth Prom. The Choir chose the song to express how they feel about the Climate Emergency.

Where to start?

Sometimes it's easier to focus on one thing and then add to your changes as that becomes habit.
Start small and grow, for example you could...

  • Try to take public transport, walk or cycle more instead of taking the car for journeys under three miles
  • Switch your electricity and heating to a company that produces or uses only green energy and turn your thermostat down by one degree
  • Shop locally for your food
  • Mend things instead of throwing them away and keeping equipment, like your phone, for longer.

Young people in Truro and Penwith Colleges and Cornwal''s Eco Schools worked together to produce their own pledges for the planet.

The Imperial College London together with the Grantham Institute have drawn up a list of nine things you can do about Climate Change

Each of the pledges and lists above has a range of changes you can make - what will you choose, can you manage one or two or all of them?

More ideas

Take a look at our Green Month ideas below for suggestions on how you can help Climate Change every day and not just during March!

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  • 1 March: March is Green Month

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    March is Green month with Carbon Neutral Cornwall and Pirate FM

    It's Green month and we're encouraging everyone to think about their carbon footprint.

    The World Wildlife Fund have a simple enviornmental footprint calculator to find out how big your footprint is and how you can make changes to help our planet.

    Measure you carbon footprint: https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

  • 2 March: Show you care and commit to take climate action

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    Together our small changes can make a BIG difference

    There are lots of things we can do individually - and every single change each of us makes will help Cornwall to come closer to carbon neutrality.

    What can you do differently?

    Show you care by telling us what you are already doing or will commit to do differently and help to shape Cornwall's Climate Commitments

  • 3 March: World Wildlife Day

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    3 March is World Wildlife Day

    From the air we breathe to the food we eat, nature sustains us. Sadly, nature is in decline and we need to restore and revitalize nature so that it can support us into the future.

    Find out how you can get involved and can help to Grow Nature:

    Grow Nature: Get Involved - Grow Nature (cornwall.gov.uk)

    Forest for Cornwall: Forest for Cornwall Programme - Grow Nature

  • 4 March: Cornwall's Climate Stories

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    Climate change is the biggest challenge of our lives and Cornwall could lead the way

    Cornwall’s Climate Stories show the realities of climate change – and also the inspirational work being done by local researchers, businesses and community groups to get us to a greener and carbon neutral future.


    The films have been made by Cornwall Climate Care: https://www.cornwallclimate.org/films

  • 5 March: Calling young people

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    As part of Green month we're encouraging more young people to become involved in our Carbon Neutral Cornwall Youth Ambassador Network.

    The Network aims to give young people the chance to get involved in climate projects and make a difference to climate change in Cornwall.

    Join the Youth Climate Ambassadors Network: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/carbon-neutral-cornwall-youth-ambassador-network

  • 6 March: Pledge for Nature

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    It's Green month and we're calling for everyone to pledge for nature

    The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership want your help to take action together for nature.

    We can manage our land and seas better to house, feed and enjoy ourselves in a more nature-positive way.

    Together we can ensure that at least 30% of our land and seas are well-managed for nature locally by 2030.

    Make you pledge for nature… https://naturecios.org.uk/pledge/

  • 7 March: Love Food Hate Waste

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    7 - 10 March is Food Waste Action Week.

    The good food we throw away has an impact on our environment and contributes to climate change.

    We are wasting not only the food but the valuable resources that have gone into creating it too.

    Positive changes to your shopping list will not only improve your diet but will help improve water quality, increase the numbers of insects, birds and other wildlife, and cut down on carbon emissions.

    Find out what you can do to help reduce food waste https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

  • 8 March: SW Climate Change Centre

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    The new SW Climate Change Centre at Heartlands is now open.

    The South West Climate Change Centre is an interactive exhibition at the Heartlands visitor attraction and World Heritage Site, in Pool Cornwall.

    The Centre is open to all from 9.30am to 4.30pm every weekday, except bank holidays, and is free to visit.


    Visit the SW Climate Change Centre to see the interactive Tardis-style console and 4D film, that shows what could happen if we don’t act fast enough. https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/swccc

  • 9 March: Low carbon living ideas

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    We can all do things differently as part of low carbon living, during Green Month and every day

    Are you looking for inspiration or have an idea for how we can all reduce the amount of carbon we put into or sequester out of the atmosphere?

    Add your ideas - or read other people's ideas - for low carbon living on the Carbon Neutral Cornwall Hive Ideas Board: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/ideas-bank

  • 10 March: Help improve air quality in Cornwall

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    Air quality is generally pretty good in Cornwall. But there are certain 'hotspots' which fail to meet national air quality objectives.

    We can all take steps to improve air quality, even small changes contribute to making a difference if enough of us make a change.

    One way is to turn off your car engine if parked or stuck in traffic.

    It is better for the environment, fuel economy and health to switch off your engine and re-start it after a minute or longer, than it is to leave it running.

    https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/environmental-protection/air-quality/

Page last updated: 02 May 2023, 11:17 AM