Whenever we switch on a light, take a flight, power up a laptop or make a cup of coffee, we unavoidably generate greenhouse gas or carbon emissions. This is often referred to as our carbon footprint.

About 90% of the worlds’ carbon emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels, and according to the CSIRO, Australia contributes to 1% of total global emissions – the 14th highest in the world, higher than Canada and the US.

While we don’t want to give up our creature comforts, there are ways we can live a little greener, be mindful about our impact on the planet, and look after ourselves and our environment in a more sustainable way.

But sometimes it's a little hard to get a picture of the level of impact we’re having on the planet. That’s where our Carbon Footprint Calculator comes in – it’s a tool that takes in all the information about your daily energy usage and converts it into an estimated comparison with car emissions.

We’re not just talking about your gas and electricity usage either – we take in many different aspects of your lifestyle that can affect your carbon footprint.

This includes the size of your house, how you travel and your purchasing of food, clothing, and furniture.

Give our Carbon Calculator a try today. 

How to reduce your carbon footprint

If you want to start limiting your impact on the environment, we’ve got some great tips on things you can do around your home, ways you can travel and tweaks you can make to your lifestyle to live a little greener and reduce those carbon emissions.

At home

• Try reducing your shower time – aim for 4 minutes or less. You can also install a water-efficient shower head and be sure to fix any dripping taps.
• During the colder months, wear more layers of clothing to keep warm before turning on the heater.
• Set your air conditioner to 25 to 27°C for cooling in summer, and your heater to 18 to 20°C for warming in winter.
• Keep appliances that need constant power connected to one plug and be sure to turn off other appliances at the wall when not in use.
• You can also remove one globe from multi-globe fittings and take extra care to turn off lights when you leave the room.

Those are the easy fixes, but if you want to make even more impact you could try:

• Installing solar panels. We can get you started with solar!
• If you’ve already got solar, consider adding a battery to store the excess energy your panels produce to use at other times of the day when the sun isn’t shining. You may also be eligible to join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program and earn bill credits.
• Look for appliances that are energy efficient – the more stars, the better.
• Insulate your home where possible and install double-glazed windows with curtains.

On the go

The car might be your go-to, simple option, but there are plenty of other travel methods that contribute a much smaller carbon footprint.

• On shorter trips, consider walking, cycling, or using public transport. 
• Get cosy with car-pooling. It’s a great option if you are travelling to the same place as others. 
• Try a local break for your holidays and avoid flying overseas or interstate.
• Do a little research on electric vehicles and see if the costs stack up. Our guide can give you some good starting points if you’re just starting to venture into the world of EVs.

Shopping and lifestyle

• Create a sustainable garden - grow your own vegetables and plant native species. Start composting food scraps or put them in your food and garden waste bin.
• Buy second-hand clothes from op shops or learn to repair damaged clothing and items before buying new ones.
• Buy more local goods and less processed food which may contain extra and unnecessary packaging.

Go carbon neutral

Ready to get started? If you haven’t already, sign up to one of our carbon neutral energy plans – they’re certified by Climate Active -  which means we’ll offset carbon emissions from your energy usage.

ENGIE is one of the largest independent power producers in the world and a global leader in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. 

ENGIE makes significant investments in renewable energy generation and energy efficiency world-wide and is committed to changing the face of energy in Australia, developing, and providing responsible, sustainable energy solutions. 

We all have a role to play in reducing carbon emissions and the impact they have on our planet. By making small changes, we can make a difference. A good place to start is by calculating your carbon footprint – there’s no time like now, so get started!