1. It’s already too late to stop climate change

The evidence is that global emissions need to peak in the next decade and then decline to well below current levels to avoid dangerous climate change. This is possible, and can be achieved with technologies that are available now. Putting off action will make it more difficult and expensive to reduce emissions in the future, as well as creating higher risks of severe climate change.

• Challenging climate change myths

2. I can’t possibly make a difference

Over 40 per cent of CO₂ emissions in the UK come directly from what individuals do – for example, using electricity in the home and driving cars. That means we can all make a difference. If every home can install 270mm loft insulation, it would save 3.8 million tonnes of CO₂ – the same as the annual emissions of around 650,000 homes.

The UK has challenging targets for reducing emissions by 2050, and it will only meet those targets if everybody – individuals, Government and businesses – take action together.

• Take action on climate change

3. It’s not my responsibility to solve climate change

Because individuals are responsible for over 40 per cent of emissions, it’s only with your help that climate change will be tackled. No one group – the Government, businesses or individuals – can find a solution to climate change on their own. The Government has been working to put in place legislation to curb emissions, and to enable individuals and businesses to act.

• How the Government is helping people act
• What the Government is doing in the UK

4. What is the point of the UK acting if other countries don’t?

Every reduction in emissions makes a difference by not adding to the risk. Countries like the UK are in a position to be a positive example to the rest of the world – if the UK can rise to the challenge successfully, others will follow. The UK is working hard with other countries to come to an international agreement on cutting emissions because we need to act now. 

Moreover, there are good economic reasons to act now. The Stern report, the Treasury’s comprehensive analysis of the economics of climate change, estimates that not taking action could cost from five to 20 per cent of global GDP every year, now and in the future. In comparison, reducing emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change could cost around one per cent of global GDP each year.

• Read about 'The Road to Copenhagen', the Government’s manifesto for a global climate deal

5. I don’t want to change my entire lifestyle

The great thing about reducing your carbon footprint is that simple changes make big reductions to carbon emissions. Turning off the lights when you leave the room, switching appliances off at the mains or turning your thermostat down one degree are all actions you won’t notice doing until you get your lower fuel bill. Profound change to your carbon footprint will necessitate more stretching actions and, potentially, greater changes to your lifestyle. But for many people, acting on CO₂ won’t mean significant change in the short term.

• Reduce your CO₂ emissions

6. I haven’t got the money to make changes

Cutting your carbon footprint doesn’t have to cost you a penny – on the contrary, it can save you money. For cost-free ideas on cutting your CO₂ and your bills, read the article on easy ways to save money. Save money by cutting CO₂

• Reduce your CO₂ emissions

7. It all takes too much time and it’s too much hassle

Many of the ways you can reduce your carbon footprint take seconds and are so easy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do them earlier. Clicking the dial on your washing machine to 30 degrees: one second. Closing the curtains at dusk: five seconds. Only boiling as much water as you need: minus 10 seconds (you won’t spend so long filling the kettle to the brim).

• Find easy ways to stop wasting energy

8. I want to cut my carbon footprint but don’t want to compromise on quality

In the past, green products were sometimes of lower quality. However, today’s eco-friendly products are of the same or even superior quality. They are often high quality, durable and reliable, with longer operating lives. They’re often easier to repair and upgrade too.

• Compare and buy energy saving products

9. Changes to how we get and use energy will cost billions and throw millions out of work

There are costs to any change, but study after study shows the net effect of conservation, efficiency and less-polluting energy will be more local jobs, cheaper power, and savings in health and local pollution control. The costs of severe climate change effects, like coastal erosion, are far greater than working to reduce them.

10. Technology will solve the problem for us

Significant ‘fixes’, like removing CO₂ and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, are very unlikely because they are not available now and are not an alternative to reducing emissions, whereas many reductions in emissions, which we can all make now, will.

• Find ways to reduce your carbon footprint