WHAT?

2000 miles from farm to dinner plate

Carbon reduction will effect all the roles we play in our lives; consumers, workers, inhabitants and citizens. Public awareness of the problem is limited, but growing. The first step will be to establish a broad understanding of how we use carbon in our everyday lives.

Finding solutions for carbon reduction will be a long process, and involve trial and error. Some trends can be drawn for changes in all areas of life.

Current use of carbon

Carbon Dioxide emissions for individuals arise from three main sources. Approximately one third of an individual's impact comes from the distance that their food has travelled, another third from the distance that they themselves travel, and the remaining third from energy use in the home. The average UK meal has travelled 2000 miles from farm to dinner plate.

Of the different sectors in the economy in Norfolk, the construction industry has the greatest impact on climate change, primarily because of the very large flows of materials and the large tonnage of waste is produced.

Emissions from fuel consumption make the transportation industry the second greatest source. Manufacturing, such as printing, contributes to total carbon emissions indirectly by using large quantities of electricity.

The use of fertilisers in farming is carbon-intensive.

The financial services sector will also have a pivotal role to play in creating the right incentives for other industries.