UK’s first website on climate adaptation and mitigation

Consumers will have clear advice on the entire suite of climate actions

A new project launches today (Monday April 30) that will give consumers clear advice on practical and impactful ways to tackle climate change.

One Home is a new not-for-profit website that enables the environmental industry to give consumers coherent, engaging information that will speed up the transition to a net zero carbon Britain through a cross-industry portal.

This is the only website currently available in the UK that offers a ‘one-stop shop’ on sustainable lifestyle choices, covering the entire suite of climate actions.

It is the brainchild of environmental scientist Angela Terry who has 20 years’ experience working in the renewables industry and was one of the first pioneers of community renewable energy, raising more than £15 million for solar and wind farms.

One Home is the project of a new Community Interest Company called Climate Alliance, which was set up in 2017 as a not-for-profit social enterprise. Companies that join the Climate Alliance share its ambition to increase the market for clean technology, reduce carbon emissions and help protect our planet.

Angela says: “Having worked in the environmental industry for many years, I saw a real need for one platform which brings together accurate, practical information into one place that equips people with the know-how on what they can do to make a difference and also how to adapt to climate change. One Home fills this crucial gap.

“With One Home, my aim is to provide a cross-sector hub that brings together leaders from across the environmental industry, enabling them to communicate directly to consumers and work more effectively together to tell our story.

“We can show consumers that living a low-carbon lifestyle is beneficial to people and planet, and that moving away from fossil fuels is not only viable but also supports the UK’s low-carbon industry that offers affordable, reliable and home-grown energy.”

Sir David King, formerly the UK’s climate envoy (2013-2017) and the Government’s chief scientific adviser (2000-2007) has thrown his weight behind the project:

“One Home offers citizens an opportunity to assess their lifestyle choices and make positive changes for the benefit of both people and the planet. I applaud this initiative – it will inform and empower people, motivating them to support clean energy and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

“The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris set an objective to ensure the planet does not exceed a two degree Celsius temperature rise above the pre-industrial level, and make every effort not to exceed a 1.5 degree Celsius temperature rise.

“This will not be possible without raising awareness of the situation. One Home can play a major role in this, encouraging a vital transformation of consumer habits and offering a holistic approach to the problem.”

In the UK in 2017, the average carbon footprint per person was more than seven tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. In the next 20 years, this needs to be cut down to one tonne per person if we are to meet the UN objective.

The One Home website covers a wide range of topics designed to act as a guide for anyone looking to move towards a low carbon lifestyle. These include how to make your home warmer through energy efficiency, a guide on choosing electric and hybrid cars, information on the carbon emissions of the food we eat and no fly holiday ideas. There is also advice on adapting to the reality of climate change, including keeping your home dry during floods and top tips to help wildlife and plants in the garden thrive despite climate change.

People are also being encouraged to share their climate actions on social media, using #OneHome, to help motivate others and create a groundswell of public support.

Angela adds: “Something needs to change – what we are currently doing to tackle climate change is simply not enough. Fossil fuels still provide 86 per cent of global energy needs hence carbon dioxide emissions are still increasing despite decades of discussing climate change.

“We need to rapidly increase the deployment of renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency measures to stop runaway global warming and achieve net zero carbon emissions.

“I would urge all industry leaders to get in touch to find out more about being part of this exciting movement.”

Independent UK windfarm developer, REP, has joined the Climate Alliance and is supporting the One Home project.

Richard Hadwin, director at REP, says: “The Government walked off the pitch a few years ago on this issue and the low carbon industry has a fragmented approach with each sector providing their own campaigns.

“The Climate Alliance provides the necessary umbrella body for the low carbon industry to pool their resources and offer a single market place for consumers. It is an obvious need, finally serviced.”

Visit the One Home website at www.onehome.org and follow OurOneHome on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact press@onehome.org.uk

Case studies of people making low carbon lifestyle choices are available for interview.

One Home is a project of the Climate Alliance Community Interest Company, which is a not for profit social enterprise formed in 2017. One Home is supported by companies who support its aim to reduce pollution and help protect our planet, and these include Solar South West and REP.

Angela Terry (née Duignan) has previously worked at Energy4All as development director. The organisation was set up in 2002 to expand the number of renewable energy co-operatives in the UK. She has also worked at the Forestry Commission as head of wood fuel, policy manager for renewable energy company RES Group and advising on energy efficiency at BRE for the Carbon Trust. Her experience also extends beyond the UK; she was a carbon scientist for Forest Research in New Zealand between 2000 and 2002. Angela’s qualifications include degrees from Leeds University and Imperial College and she is a member of the Energy Institute and the Powerful Women Network.

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