Driving Down Your Carbon Emissions

Often we have no choice but to drive, even though we know it causes greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite this there are certain simple steps you can take to reduce your impact on climate change.
Below you'll find 10 top tips for reducing your emissions while driving.

Turn the engine off when you are stuck in traffic for long periods.
If you're stuck in traffic for more than a minute or so it's better toturn your engine off in order to reduce your carbon emissions.
Rather than leaving your engine running when waiting to pick up ordrop off passengers turn your engine off instead.
Reducing your speed can radically reduce the amount of green housegases you produce.
Traveling at 56 mph rather than 70 mph reduces yourfuel use by around 10% and if you dropped your speed from 70mph to 50mph youwould reduce the carbon emitted by your car by a whopping 25%.
If you drive more smoothly, instead of accelerating and braking allthe time, you can significantly reduce your carbon emissions.
It has beenestimated that those who drive smoothly and intelligently can save astaggering 30% of fuel consumption compared with those with a heavy rightfoot.
By keeping your distance from the car in front and monitoring thetraffic ahead you can slow down efficiently and avoid constant use of thebreak.
Ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, youcan find the required pressure in your owner's manual.
According tofigures provided by the RAC under inflated tyres increase resistance andcan increase fuel consumption by up to 2%.
Sharing car journeys reduces the number of cars on the road butnearly 40% of car journeys only have one occupant in the car.
Check out Liftshare.
orgto find travel companies and share travel costs.
Avoid carrying unnecessary heavy items, such as tool kits or golf clubs.
The more weight you're carrying in the car, the more fuel is used per mileand the greater the carbon emissions per journey.
If you are not using them remove roof racks and/or bull bars.
Notonly do they add to the weight of the car but these items also increase airresistance, adding up to 5% to your fuel consumption.
If you have air conditioning fitted try and minimise its use.
At slowerspeeds open your car windows and ventilate the car naturally instead.
Beaware that at higher speeds open windows can create significant drag, soit is better to use the car's conventional air ventilation system or aircon if really necessary.
Air conditioning can add around 10% to your fuelconsumption.
Regularly servicing, in accordance with the manufactures mileagerecommendations, ensures that you car runs as efficiently as possible,thus maximising its performance and fuel efficiency and minimisingemissions.
A regular service will save you money in the long run, as thecar should last longer as well as running far more economically.