Festivities 'raise carbon output'

Mass consumption is fuelling carbon emissions, the report warns

An obsession with hi-tech gadgets is sending the carbon cost of Christmas rocketing, according to new research.

Independent think tank the New Economics Foundation (Nef) says "a frenzy of mass consumption" is threatening efforts to cut emissions.

It warns if one in 25 UK homes buys one of this year's "must have" presents - a digital photo frame - annual CO2 emissions will rise by 11,000 tonnes.

This is equivalent to about 14,000 people flying from London to New York.

Nef said its calculations were based on a 15-watt photo frame being used for an average of six hours a day for a year, and a "standard" figure of 0.77 tonnes of C02 emitted per passenger.

Market analysts estimate that about 60% of annual turnover in UK retailing happens over Christmas, amounting this year to about £12 billion of consumer spending.

Decorations

Nef has drawn up a 10-point guide to a climate-friendly Christmas, which includes advice about switching off the TV, sending fewer cards, and wasting less food.

According to its calculations, the UK will import 66,500 tonnes of Christmas decorations from China this year. Goods produced in China generally pump more greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere because its energy mix contains more carbon.

Emissions from transporting the decorations by sea - a distance of about 17,000km - amount to about a tonne of carbon dioxide for every kilometre travelled.

The Nintendo Wii games console is among the most popular items of Christmas wish lists this year.

But Nef warns the annual energy consumption of Wii consoles sold so far this year generate greenhouse gases equivalent to 180,000 single flights from the UK to New York.

'Gift of time'

Other gadgets such as MP3 players are also fuelling emissions, according to Nef.

Its research says the carbon dioxide emissions from each games console, using its standby facility and assuming 14 hours playing a week, are equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions per person in countries such as Burundi or Chad.

Nef suggests giving the "gift of time" this Christmas rather than an actual present - such as pledging to do all the washing up for a month.

Families could also stage their own pantomime, go for a walk, play games or read a book rather than "sit in collective numbness in front of the telly", it advises.

Other suggestions include playing "secret Santa" among friends and family, ensuring only one present is bought rather than many, and joining a "green gym" which combines getting fit with action to improve the outdoor environment.