Climate change is the single biggest environmental issues facing us today. The effects include more famine and flooding, more extreme weather and rising sea levels. One, if not all, of these impacts will effect every one of us, so what is being done about it?

The government has just outlined its Low Carbon Transition Plan to cut emissions by 18% on 2008 levels by 2020. 29% of these cuts – the largest amount – will have to come from the home. This could mean our energy bills may increase by up to £249 per year. So what are our energy providers doing to help?

British Gas is now the largest provider of household energy efficiency products, providing over 17 million products in 2007. It has invested over £90 million on subsidising energy efficient products in the home. In 2007 it insulated more than 350,000 homes, supplied over six million homes with energy efficient light bulbs and subsidised more than 2.7 million appliances such as condensing boilers. These new, highly efficient boilers require less energy as they reuse the heat normally lost through the exhaust flue. This not only lowers emissions but also lowers heating bills by up to 40%. You can find out more about British Gas’ boilers on their website.

British Gas also offers a zero carbon plan that means all of your gas and electricity is carbon neutral. The electricity you use will be matched with energy from renewable sources such as wind and water power and 100% of the carbon emissions from your gas usage will be offset. British Gas will also help to reduce the emissions of schools through contributions to the Energy For Tomorrow Fund and it supports investment into developing new renewable energy sources.

However, it looks like all this environmentally friendly action is going to hit us in the pocket. So if you’re going to have to pay more to go green, are there ways to cut costs around the home while also helping the environment? The answer is ‘yes’.

By switching your thermostat down by just one degree you will save £50 a year on your heating bill and stop 330kg of CO2 being emitted into the environment. By washing at 30 degrees you will save a tenner and 45kg of CO2.

Hopefully, by the end of 2009 some firm targets will be set at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and then industry and the individual can make equal green contributions to reduce their carbon footprint.