Climate change is widely recognised as one of the biggest threats to the planet. The planets average surface temperature has risen approximately 1°C since the late 1900s of which most of the warming has occurred over the past 35 years with 5 of the warmest years on record taking place since 2010. This change in climate has led to severe weather conditions with catastrophic results such as flooding, extreme wildfires, droughts and food shortages.
In 2015, many countries from around the world signed the United Nation’s Paris Agreement. This is the first partially legally binding document on climate change which commits to limiting the global average temperature increase to below a 2°C and a further target to keep the temperature increase to 1.5°C. Aside from this, Greater Manchester has committed to become a low carbon city with the aim to cut carbon emissions by 48% by 2020 (from 1990 levels) and become carbon neutral by 2038. These ambitious targets display the noteworthy efforts that are being made both globally and regionally to reduce the impacts of climate change.
It is therefore key that we also make a strong effort to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible in order to contribute to the wider cause. It is also important to help our customers reduce their carbon footprint as it can not only benefit the environment but also reduce their chances of being in fuel poverty.