Just how green is your street?

Heslington is the greenest neighbourhood in York

Each person in York produces 12.58 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. Higher than the national average but lower than that in nearby Harrogate which weighs in a 13.69 tonnes.

The figures have been revealed as part of a new study from researchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York. For the first time they've examined the carbon footprint of every neighbourhood in York.

Areas of York that had the highest carbon footprint, producing a whopping 14.51 tonnes of carbon dioxide, were the Dringhouses Central and Woodthorpe Wards. 60% of York's carbon footprint comes from housing and transport.

The study also identifies the York neighbourhoods which not only have the greenest attitudes, but how effectively they put them into practice.

Surprisingly there is a tendency for areas with a strong level of green attitudes to also have a large carbon footprint like Clementhorpe. Although in Heslington there was evidence of a strong green attitude combined with lowest carbon footprint in the city.

Dr Gary Haq, co-author of the report said:

"The study provides a detailed understanding of York's contribution to carbon emissions. It identifies those neighbourhoods of the city which have great potential to save money while helping the city to tackle climate change."

The report is part of a 15-month York Green Streets Challenge campaign funded by the Without Walls Partnership Local Authority Delivery Fund. The findings will be used to target selected households in York to help them reduce their carbon footprint by 10% in 2010.