Climate-neutral lifestyle: Consumers lead the way

17.05.2013

Climate-neutral living: What steps will you take?

Creating a climate-neutral society is not an abstract goal but rather a set of real ideas about how our daily lives might look and work in future. In some respects, our lives will change in fundamental ways, whereas in other areas we can carry on as we have been doing all along. The basic characteristics of this future everyday life can already be discerned.

We can and ought to already adopt some of these features of climate-neutral living in our private lives. The "A climate-neutral lifestyle: Consumers lead the way in climate protection" brochure seeks to support you on your personal quest to live a climate-neutral lifestyle. It shows that there are many paths that lead to the same goal as not every path suits everyone. However, the pay-off is well worth it and can be achieved: living a climate-neutral lifestyle!

Write to us about your activities and experience with climate-neutral living. Read about other people’s experience and opinions (in German).

Personal profile: ”Sabine T.”

Character

Bon vivant. She embodies what is known as LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability). ‘What is good me is also good for the environment’. The word ‘sacrifice‘ is not in her vocabulary.

Activities

Lives in a well-insulated multiple dwelling
Car-sharing
Cycling favoured over car driving for short trips
Uses green electricity
Purchases organic food
Purchases energy-efficient appliances („A++ devices”)
Supports environmental associations

Personal CO_2eemissions

7.9 t CO_2e per year

CO_2esavings of others

No estimate of membership in environmental associations possible.

drawing of a woman with a paper shopping bag with the inscription "Bio"

Sabine T.
Source: Umweltbundesamt

Sabine T’s CO2eq emissions are 7.89 tonnes, the emissions of an average consumer 11 tonnes

Sabine T’s CO2eq report card
Source: Umweltbundesamt

Personal profile: Linus L.

Character

Career professional – an executive who is on the go a lot, always under time pressure. Money is no object for him, although time is. The details of everyday life are not on his mind.

Activities

Offset payment for total CO2eq emissions (according to Gold Standard)

Personal CO_2eemissions

18,3 t CO_2e per year

CO_2esavings of others

18.3 t CO_2e per year

drawing of a man wearing a suit and sitting on a suitcase, typing on his notebook and looking the time on his watch

Linus L.
Source: Umweltbundesamt

Linus L.’s CO2eq emissions are 18.27 tonnes, the emissions of an average consumer 11 tonnes. Linus L. does 18.27 tonnes of CO2 savings elsewhere.

Linus L’s CO2eq report card
Source: Umweltbundesamt

Article:

Tags:

climate neutrality climate neutral CO2 footprint greenhouse gas emission reduction climate protection sustainable lifestyle greenhouse gas neutral Top