Eco is the answer for cash-strapped households

Rising prices across the board are hitting consumers in the pocket. But as SmartPlanet readers will know, rather than being an extra expense, green living can actually cut costs. To help consumers make the sustainable switch, a coalition of big businesses including B&Q, Barclaycard, British Gas, BSkyB, Marks & Spencer, More Th>n, National Express, O2 and Tesco are backing climate campaign Together which celebrated its first anniversary yesterday.

Businesses have pledged discounted green products and services including cheaper low energy light bulbs and loft insulation. Together says this inspired 20 million consumers to make the switch to greener living, cutting emissions by half a million tonnes of CO2 and saving consumers up to £100 million last year.

The green pledges that businesses have made to the campaign can be seen online. Together has also produced an interesting savers' guide that shows how green actions can help consumers save money. These include:

-- Cut heating bills, which have already risen by over 12 per cent in a year, by insulating your loft. This saves up to £110 per year and up to 1000kg of carbon emissions.

-- Discounted loft insulation is available from B&Q, British Gas and Tesco. Cut electricity bills, which have risen by the same amount, by switching to low energy lightbulbs. This saves £45 per year and 150kg of emissions. Get half-price low-energy bulbs from Tesco.

-- Carry out an energy audit, which can help slash £90 quid off heating bills and remove 455kg carbon emissions. That's available from British Gas. In London, you could also check out the Green Homes Concierge service, which we invited home for a video.

Every time a consumer buys a product or service from Together's partners the projected carbon saving is added to its 'Togetheriser', which currently stands at a none-too-shabby 500,066 tonnes of CO2.

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