Defra's 12-point plan to cut carbon emissions

When it comes to environmental issues, there are seven types of people in the UK, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The department just released a report which segments the public into groups based on their environmental beliefs and actions, and suggests strategies to convince us all to be greener.

The seven-segment model will be used to improve government's understanding of people's values and behaviour towards the environment. The idea is that if they can figure out what stops us from being green, then they can remove those barriers. One-fifth of the UK is concerned with green issues and acts on this concern, but there are also many 'stalled starters' who don't know where to begin.

"We all need to do our bit to tackle climate change. Most people want to do something but sometimes don't know how. This report will help government and stakeholders reach people and empower them to make changes in their lives today that will make a big difference tomorrow," says environment minister, Joan Ruddock.

The report boils all of its analysis down to 12 actions that people can take to reduce their carbon emissions and generally lower their impact on the planet. They're hardly revolutionary ideas, to be honest.

* Use more efficient vehicles
* Use your car less for short trips
* Avoid unnecessary short-haul flights
* Use water responsibly
* Install insulation/microgeneration
* Manage your energy usage
* Recycle more
* Waste less food
* Buy energy efficient products
* Eat more food that is locally in season
* Adopt a lower impact diet

Still, it's a step in the right direction -- and it all counts.

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