TV campaign urges energy saving

Any device with a remote consumes electricity when on standby

A campaign encouraging people in Wales to help fight climate change is being launched by the assembly government.

A bilingual television advert narrated by comedian Rob Brydon and actor Daniel Evans urges people to make small changes like turning off TV sets.

It aims to educate householders that small behaviour changes can help Wales achieve its target of reducing emissions by 3% every year from 2011.

Opposition AMs said ministers should focus on boosting energy efficiency.

In a year, households in Wales waste enough electricity by leaving appliances on standby to light 630,000 homes for 12 months.

The campaign aims to show that every action people take can reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

For example, if everyone in Wales boiled only the water they needed to make a cup of tea instead of filling the kettle to the top, Welsh households could save �6m on electricity bills in a year.

This campaign marks a major step in encouraging people in Wales to change their habits Jane Davidson AM

Environment Minister Jane Davidson said it was the responsibility of everyone, from individuals to big businesses, to do their bit to help reduce the carbon footprint.

The changes people made did not have to be radical ones either, she said.

"This can be simply turning off your mobile phone charger when you don't need it or not running the tap as you clean your teeth," she said.

"Climate change is a real challenge for us all. This campaign marks a major step in encouraging people in Wales to change their habits."

People are being urged to log on to a new bilingual online carbon calculator, to work out their carbon footprint by gathering simple information about how they use gas, electricity and their travel choices.

The calculator will give people their own action plan showing the actions they can take which will make a difference to Wales' carbon footprint.

The assembly government has already established a Climate Change Commission and published a renewable energy route map for Wales.

The opposition have welcomed the campaign, but say it is time for the government to move its policy away from wind farms, and focus solely on boosting energy efficiency.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version