Combatting Climate Change

Mitigation actions are actions that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to slow or stop global climate change.

For mitigation actions to be successful, we must first understand what GHGs we are emitting, how much of these gases we are emitting, and where exactly they are coming from. We can do this by calculating and understanding our carbon footprint.

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere as a result of certain activities. We can calculate the carbon footprint of pretty much anything; countries, cities, organisations, individuals, projects, products and more.

​A carbon footprint is measured in units of million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e).

What is Scotland’s Carbon Footprint?

“Scotland’s Carbon Footprint” covers our countries greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis. This means greenhouse gas emissions which are associated with the spending of Scottish residents on goods and services (wherever in the world these emissions arise), together with emissions directly generated by Scottish households, through electricity use, heating and transport. These greenhouse gas emissions are often referred to as “consumption emissions” to distinguish them from estimates relating to the emissions “produced” within a country’s territory or economic sphere.

Scotland’s carbon footprint rose steadily from 1999 to a peak of 100.9 MtCO2e in 2007. The countries carbon footprint has generally fallen gradually in more recent years. The overall reduction between 2007 and 2016 is 26.9%.

Scotland’s Carbon Footprint, 1998-2016. Graph and Data from Scot Gov.

What is your individual and household’s carbon footprint?

• The average Scottish person’s individual carbon footprint is 11.17 tCO2e.
• Per household, it is slightly higher, around 24.64 tCO2e on average.
• This equates to 77% of Scotland’s total carbon footprint.

Work It Out!

You can fill out this short online questionnaire with WWF to find out how big your carbon footprint is! This will help you to identify areas in which you can makes changes to start living lighter on the planet. Share your results and plans to reduce your footprint with us on social media, using the hashtag #SustainableKirrie! 

“We are the first generation to feel the effects of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.”

– Barack Obama, Former US President

There are many different mitigation actions taking place at many different levels to reduce our carbon emissions and halt global warming; from international cooperation on tackling climate change to local action by community groups just like Sustainable Kirriemuir.

Individual Action

There are lots of things that you can do as an individual to lower your carbon footprint and help in the journey to net-zero emissions here in Scotland.

We are already experiencing the effects of climate change and must adapt to living with a warmer, wetter climate.

Climate change mitigation goes hand in hand with…

Climate Change Adaptation!

Together we can make good choices and live better, join Sustainable Kirriemuir!

If you would like to know more about what we are doing please get in touch. We are always looking for new members to join our organisation. If you have particular knowledge around climate change issues, or growing, making and mending skills you’d like to share, or just want to know more, we want to hear from you. Everyone is welcome, together we can make a difference.