Researchers to measure Leicester's carbon footprint

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Environment

University researchers have been awarded £2.7 million to measure an entire city's carbon footprint.

The Loughborough University-led project will calculate the environmental impact of Leicester by measuring the carbon released by traffic and the burning of fossil fuels in homes and workplaces.

It will produce a carbon "map" of the city and will measure the emissions from electricity and gas consumption, garden management and travel in more than 500 homes across Leicester.

Professor Kevin Lomas said: "In the UK, as with other developed countries, there are significant carbon emissions from buildings and transport and this level has been rising.

"This research is an important step in identifying how and why cities generate carbon emissions, which should help communities, government agencies and others to reduce these in line with UK targets to help combat climate change."

The four-year project has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and also involves De Montfort University, the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the University of Sheffield and the University of Leeds.