Mumsnet Talk

We're working with the Carbon Trust to find mums and their families to take part in a Carbon Footprint Challenge. We're looking for 5 mums who would be interested in having their carbon footprint measured by the Carbon Trust - then for the Trust to help them reduce it, showing how simple actions can have a lasting effect and inspiring others to take part. If everyone takes small steps to reducing their footprint, together we can make giant strides towards tackling climate change.

Taking the Carbon Footprint Challenge requires a time commitment over 7 weeks (from 31 May - 11 July) and we're looking for families across the UK. As a thank you, the final five mums who take part will receive a £150 Tesco voucher* to help with their low carbon shopping PLUS a £50 voucher for the store of their choice at the end of the challenge.

Below are the various elements of the project and what would be expected of you should you decide to take the challenge and if you are selected for it.

Week one (w/c 31 May) - Foot printing:
The Carbon Trust will make it as simple as possible to measure your footprint but you will need to provide a certain amount of data in order for them to do so. In order to calculate the footprint the Carbon Trust will measure your family against a set of criteria over a period of five days. You will be expected to collate the data yourself (including information such as gas and electricity meter readings, number of miles driven and meals consumed over the five days) and enter this on a spreadsheet. This will be fully explained once you have signed up.

Week two (w/c 7 June) - Footprint analysis/ results /advice
Once the Carbon Trust have calculated your footprint they'll provide you with tips and advice specifically tailored to your family to help you think about easy ways you can reduce it.

Weeks three-five: (w/c 14 June- w/c 21 June) Reducing footprint
You and your family will set about trying to follow some of the tips and advice from Carbon Trust on how to reduce your footprint. The Carbon Trust will also set you some mini-challenges.

Week six: (w/c 28 June) Re-Footprinting
Again your carbon footprint will be calculated using the same methods as in week 1

Week seven (w/c 5 July) New footprint analysis and reflections The Carbon Trust will provide you with your new footprint measure & you'll be asked to post for a final time on Mumsnet.

As well as helping selected families to reduce their carbon footprint one of the aims of the project is to 'spread the word' on both Mumsnet and in your local press. If you'd like to take part we ask that you indicate to say you'd be happy to act as a local case study and have your story covered by your local press. At least weekly during the challenge you'd also need to add posts to a special thread on Mumsnet about how you are getting on. You can of course name change on MN for this.

*Tesco is playing a leading role in product carbon footprinting and labelling and was one of the first big brands to work with the Carbon Trust on the Carbon Reduction Label, which is a simple label that consumers can look out for to know that brands they support are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Now Tesco has more than 100 own brand products right across the store that carry the Carbon Reduction Label and has committed to increasing that to 500 by the end of the year.

If you'd like to be considered for the Carbon Footprint Challenge please click here. Those selected will be notified by 25th May. If you have any queries about the project please post them on the thread and someone will respond to you.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ