Diocese to reduce carbon emissions

THE Diocese has undertaken to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels by 15% by 2010, in line with the Kyoto Protocol. The build up of human-generated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the most serious, and most long term problem, the planet faces. What can we do to meet the Diocesan target?

Car use accounts for about 15% of the carbon emissions from a typical British household.  If, like Bishop Richard, you need to drive substantial distances as part of your work, then it will be more. Short of abandoning your car altogether – and therefore failing to do your job properly - is there anything you can do?

You will have read above that Bishop Richard has just taken delivery of a new car. It looks like many other smart ‘executive’ cars. But under the bonnet, it has a special feature – it is powered by a hybrid petrol/electric system. When it is more efficient, the petrol engine drives the car. But in circumstances where the petrol engine is inefficient, the engine is used to generate electricity, and the electricity drives the car. As a result, the typical petrol consumption is more or less halved, compared to a conventional car of comparable performance. So, congratulations, Bishop Richard! At a stroke, you are now halfway to meeting the Diocesan target!

I’m sure we will all be on the lookout to reduce the Bishop’s other carbon emissions!

Ian James Diocesan Environment AdvisorDr.I.N.James@Btinternet.com