We measured the carbon footprint of the Royal Wedding!

Here is the link to The Daily Telegraph article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8472283/What-is-the-carbon-footprint-of-the-royal-wedding.html

[Full report: Royal_Wedding_emissions5.pdf]

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A fanciful estimate of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the Royal Wedding event on Friday 29 April 2011 of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton

Objective

The Daily Telegraph is seeking information on the following, in relation to the Royal Wedding:

• A rough estimate of the emissions associated with the wedding

• Suggestions on what the Royal Family should be doing to cut emissions

Emissions estimate - results

The results indicate that the activities on the day of the wedding could be responsible for an estimated 2,808 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) in greenhouse gases, for the scope of emissions calculated. Emissions due to travel by crowds lining the streets might amount to another 3,957 tonnes of CO2e and the Royal Airforce flyover might add another 1.95 tonnes of CO2e. Details on the emissions per activity covered, are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Estimated GHG emissions by source.

How does this compare to emissions from other businesses and events?

To put the total into context, the 2010 Soccer World Cup was estimated to generate 2.7 million tonnes of CO2e1, whilst the average UK household generates around 5.5 tonnes CO2e per year2.

The estimated emissions from the Royal Wedding are equivalent to the annual emissions from 510 (1,230) average UK households, 325 (723) economy return trips between Auckland New Zealand and London Heathrow or 5 (12) times the annual emissions of Buckingham Palace (based on recent press articles rating the energy efficiency of some of London’s notable buildings). Figures in brackets include the crowds. Number in brackets relates to the final total emissions including the crowds and flyover.

Emissions from UK businesses that are CEMARS certified on the Achilles carbonReduction Programme range from 3 tonnes to 24 million tonnes of CO2e.

[Full report: Royal_Wedding_emissions5.pdf]

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