While individuals are doing their bit to improve the environment, the UK as a whole is not doing enough to reduce its carbon footprint, it has been claimed.

Kit Jones, information officer at the Centre for Alternative Technology, said combating climate change involves "big changes" in the way we use energy.

The UK also needs to embrace different means of generating energy, he said.

His comments came after Waste King published its top eight tips to help people in their quest to be greener.

This included tips on saving energy, saving water and cutting back on the amount of petrol used, amongst others.

Mr Jones added: "The four biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions are heating our homes, the food we eat, transport and the stuff we buy, so anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint should look at these things first.

"People often forget about the carbon footprint from the food we eat and the stuff we buy because most of those emissions are produced elsewhere and we don't see them."

Posted by Dan Smith