Your Carbon Footprint

The Carbon Footprint. We are constantly being told about it, how we can improve it, how it relates to the environment, but not many of us are actually aware of exactly what our carbon footprint is and specifically how it relates to affordable housing. Specifically the UK Carbon Trust defined the 'footprint' as "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product." But what does that actually mean I hear you cry, and how does it relate to my purchasing affordable housing? Allow me to explain.

Since the environmental movement gained momentum in recent years thanks to the debate about climate change many housing developers, even those focusing on the lower more affordable end of the market have been required to build houses with their carbon footprint and the developments impact on the environment in mind. A whole new industry has sprung up based around specialists who can measure the carbon footprint of affordable housing and then help developers devise new strategies to lower it as much as possible, thus minimising the impact of the environment that affordable housing has. In an effort to improve their carbon footprint many affordable housing developers now adopt a unique strategy known as carbon offsetting.

Offsetting your footprint is a simple process, in the case of affordable housing developers they simply mitigate their impact on the environment by investing heavily in a variety of other projects such as planting new trees or installing wind turbines in an effort to offset any carbon footprint produced in the building of their affordable housing. It may sound awfully complicated but it is not; your carbon footprint is a metaphor for the imprint you leave on the planet through your emissions of harmful gasses. These can come from a variety of sources and it is vital to take steps to reduce this footprint as much as can be, and you can make a difference by purchasing your affordable housing from a developer who supports offsetting.

Your affordable housing no longer has to produce a large amount of carbon, thanks to new technologies that allow for a greater use of natural insulations and double glazing you will not need as much heating, henceforth will lower your carbon footprint. You can also install things such as a solar powered water heater into your affordable housing in an effort to minimise the impact your structure has on the environment. When assessing the carbon footprint in your affordable housing it is vital to remember that a number of small changes can make a large difference in the pollution you and your family produce, so why not act now to reduce your emissions?