How to calculate your carbon footprint

Although it’s impossible to fully achieve a carbon neutral footprint in the household, it is possible to do so in the garden.

Planting a tree in certain places also has other carbon benefits:
• Planting trees that shade very hot areas makes the soil more carbon-retentive.
• Planting a deciduous tree on the north side of a house, or on the east or west side, will shade your house in summer, keeping it cooler so there is less need to use fans or air conditioners.
• If trees cause shadows that darken the interior of a house, prune back the branches to let in more light.

Calculate your carbon footprint South Africa is responsible for 42% of Africa’s carbon emissions – largely due to the heavy use of coal as an energy source. A household’s carbon footprint is a by-product of using everyday products and services such as electricity, water and your car. To calculate your carbon footprint visit trees.co.za or go to cap.org.za.