Emission Impossible: Harborough charity challenges people to spend a full day without contributing to carbon emissions

A Market Harborough-based UK reforestation charity is marking its first birthday by challenging people to spend a full day without contributing to carbon emissions, by even a gram.

The Greener Earth Project is inviting individuals and households to try out different approaches to living for Live Net Zero Day on Saturday May 22.

And the Harborough charity - the UK’s first and only reforestation charity that helps people to plant trees - has a number of ideas to help get you started.

Jorden Summers, co-founder and chair of The Greener Earth Project, said: “The race to Net Zero is on, and while government and businesses are responsible for setting the pace of change for the rest of the nation, we all have a role to play in making the world a safer and more sustainable place.

"There are countless changes, both small and large, that we can make as individuals to contribute to this collective mission, which is why we’re challenging people up and down the UK to spend this Saturday living a carbon free life.

“It won’t be easy. Even with the best will in the world, living entirely without emissions is a tall order, but we hope that trying to do so will allow us to nudge our habits in the right direction, and also present an excellent educational opportunity for those with children.

"We don’t expect perfection, which is why The Greener Earth Project makes it easy for people to mitigate their impact by planting trees.”

Ideas for your Net Zero day

09:00 – over morning coffee look at switching to a 100% renewable energy tariffs. uSwitch have a handy green comparison option.

09:30 – tackle repairing that broken item at home you’ve been considering replacing. Making stuff and transporting it is a big source of emissions, so the more we repair and reuse the lower our carbon footprint. YouTube has videos for mending everything.

11:00 – walk to a local farmers market for a sustainable weekly shop. Plan as many meals as you can before you go, and check the use-by dates will suit your schedule when food goes in the fridge to ensure all the food is able to be used without any waste.

13:00 – try out a veggie or vegan café for lunch with friends – many choose to work with local producers for seasonal ingredients.

15:00 – check out local vintage and charity shops for a post lockdown new look. Be sure to walk, cycle or take the electric bus.

16:00 – become a member of The Greener Earth Project to regularly plant trees to sequester carbon.

19:00 – cook up a storm for dinner. Ditching beef, lamb and dairy is a great start. We’re big fans of Bosh for filling veggie recipes.

20:00 – switch the overseas wine for a bottle of English Sparkling.