Climate Change Pledge

The Oxford Citizens' Climate Change Pledge

I recognise that:

• Climate change is happening now
• Climate change will have far reaching effects on our economy, society and environment
• I have a part to play in reducing the overall impact on the environment.

Within the next year I will act on some or all of the following: 

• Switch off appliances at the mains and lights when not in use e.g. switching off TV, set-top box at mains, not leaving phone chargers plugged in when fully charged

• Replace as many of my light bulbs as possible with low energy ones

• Switch to A rated appliances/more efficient models when purchasing a new appliance e.g. A++ fridge; condensing boilers

• Switch to a green electricity tariff

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle waste and water more e.g. use the recycling scheme, install a water saver in my toilet

• Use the car less - walk and cycle more. Take the train not the plane. Fly less. When you replace your car choose a bicycle or a small diesel. When you have to drive, drive with care for the environment.

• Implement insulation measures in my home - such as insulating my hot water tank, topping up my loft insulation (to 270mm), having cavity wall insulation, and installing reflective backings on my radiators.

• Use energy more efficiently in the home e.g. turn my thermostat down by 1^oC; wash at lower temperatures (30^oC if possible); dry clothes outdoors when possible; use lids on saucepans, shower instead of bath or power shower

• Consider how climate change is going to impact on me e.g. flood (affecting my homes, ability to get to work), drought (conserve/reuse more water), prepare for heat-wave (insulating your home properly will help to make it cooler during hotter periods)

• Assess my personal/household carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (e.g. energy consumption, transport use, food miles etc  - a simple calculator on the ClimateCare website can help with this) and set my own personal/household greenhouse gas reduction target.