Goods and services

Around 80% of Scotland's carbon footprint is linked to our consumption of goods, materials and services, including the transport costs involved, according to Scottish Government figures.

In this part of the Pathway, we look at measuring how much we use some goods, services and materials, including food. Once we have an idea how much we consume, we can plan how and where to reduce waste and, therefore, our carbon footprint. The focus is on thinking about how we can reduce, reuse and recycle, while still doing what we need to do. It might be helpful to start with just one or two of the items listed below. Whatever would be easiest or most relevant to your congregation.

Services

What's the issue?

There is a carbon cost associated with all the services that we use, such as web-hosting, postage, printing, auditing and accounting as well as the goods and materials that we buy. While we don't always have direct control over how these services are carried out, the fact that we use them means they are part of our carbon footprint.

How can we measure our consumption and carbon footprint?

You can use the 360 Carbon site to measure your carbon footprint for free.

Register your congregation on the Climate Stewards website by clicking the "carbon calculators" option and then click the "360 Carbon" button on the "Small Organisations" tab. Go to "Start a new carbon footprint" to reach the following page:

You'll need to enter some information about your congregation and set the period you wish to calculate emissions for.

The Expenditure page below allows you to enter figures from your accounts on amounts spent on various goods and services. A standard formula will be used to calculate generalised carbon emissions based on figures established for these goods and services. These won't be very precise, but they will provide basic figures for a starting point of your current activities. You can fill in as many of the boxes as are appropriate for your setting and that you have figures for.