What is your Climate Shadow? 

January 27, 2023. By Ben Deyes

What is a Climate Shadow? 

We have all become fairly familiar with carbon footprinting, but what about the term climate shadow? Your climate shadow is a concept that was brought to light by Emma Pattee, a climate journalist, who wants to help society visualise and consider how life’s choices can influence climate change. It relates to actions that are challenging to quantify and measure, but influence others in a climate-positive way, hence the ‘shadow’ that we leave behind. Your climate shadow could be impacted by who you vote for, who you work for, or even how often you speak about climate change. 

How can you impact your Climate Shadow? 

It is all about how you engage with life’s choices: supporting climate action campaigns, lobbying the local government for change, bringing up climate topics in general conversation, encouraging friends and family to have meat-free days, supporting or investing in sustainable businesses, and choosing a line of work that enables you to engage with climate issues – these are all choices that we can make to have a positive impact on the environment and on our climate shadow that we leave behind.   

What does this mean for Carbon Footprinting? 

A climate shadow is no replacement for carbon footprinting, nor is it its intention. To reduce emissions, reach net-zero targets and inform decision making, we need to be able to measure and track emissions over time, which carbon footprinting allows us to do. The concern is that reducing our carbon footprint becomes our sole priority, and distracts us from taking other important and impactful action that wouldn’t necessary be captured by a carbon footprint. 

It shouldn’t be the case of one or the other, by continuing to measure and reduce emissions while being aware of our climate shadow, we and the planet can reap the benefits of both types of action.  

Strengthening our Climate Response  

It is clear that the term climate shadow does carry importance, it is more than just jargon – it supplies us with a greater awareness of how we can all influence climate change with simple, everyday actions. All types of climate action are necessary, and any concept that strengthens our response to climate change should be welcomed with open arms. 

Have you thought about your climate shadow? 

Author: Ben Deyes, Energy and Carbon Specialist

SourceForget your carbon footprint. Let’s talk about your climate shadow. (mic.com) 

"The process was seamless from start to finish and turned around in a timely manner. "

We were very happy with the professional and thorough support received by Pause People Earth during the ACA verification process. The process was seamless from start to finish and turned around in a timely manner. We will be looking for support in the future when we look to further our Airport Carbon Accreditation status.

Airport

"I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient energy purchasing and carbon management service."

I have been working with the energy purchasing and carbon management team at Pause for some time now and have always been impressed with the level of service and expertise. The team is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile to help us find the best energy solutions for our business. They are also very helpful when it comes to customer service, answering any questions we may have and offering advice on how to get the best deals. Overall, they have been a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient energy purchasing and carbon management service.

Consultant

"Creates a real community culture with human centered policy."

Really knowledgeable and very passionate. Creates a real community culture with human centered policy. Give Pause People the credit they deserve 👏

Real Estate

"The Team's attention to detail, experience and knowledge across the carbon landscape is exceptional"

The Team at Pause People Earth consistently provides best practice support across carbon reporting (including SECR) reduction target and strategy projects covering a range of listed and non-listed UK and global organisations. The projects are always delivered to the highest quality and within the required timescales and deadlines. The Team's attention to detail, experience and knowledge across the carbon landscape is exceptional and I would highly recommend them to anyone that has the opportunity to work with them.

Carbon Consultancy

"They work with great passion and drive, and have helped me with my carbon footprint analysis. "

I have worked with Pause People Collective for a few years now and I have had some great support from their team of subject matter experts. They work with great passion and drive, and have helped me with my carbon footprint analysis. I have a great working relationship with them, and they are readily accessible. I have attended, and presented with them, and they deliver a strong message, and people need to listen.

NHS Trust

"Kaylea's passion and beliefs to make a change for the better shines through in her work."

Always received a great service from Pause People, it's great to know you're in safe hands in someone with someone you can trust, Kaylea's passion and beliefs to make a change for the better shines through in her work. Strongly recommend to anyone, keep up the great work as always 🙌😊

Consultant

"The report they produced was easy to follow and engaging and we look forward to working with Pause People going forward."

The Team at Pause People provided clarity regarding our carbon footprint for our business. The whole process was straightforward and delivered in efficient time. The report they produced was easy to follow and engaging and we look forward to working with Pause People going forward.

Call Centre

"Her work with our clients has been pivotal in helping them with their energy and carbon aspirations"

As an Energy and Carbon Associate, Kaylea is a perfect fit for our business, and our aligned values and principles make working with her effortless. Her work with our clients has been pivotal in helping them with their energy and carbon aspirations and her passion and drive for climate solutions makes her not only a fitting and valuable member of our team but also an inspiration for both clients and colleagues.

Procurement Consultant

"We have found all Pause People extremely friendly, knowledgeable and professional whenever projects are undertaken."

We have worked very closely with Pause People Collective over the years of which we have collaborated on many different projects. We have found all Pause People extremely friendly, knowledgeable and professional whenever projects are undertaken. The knowledge and advice we have received is second to none and we would highly recommend to any business looking to achieve energy compliance, energy reduction and energy procurement.

Partner

"I have received a first class service from Pause People for many years"

I have received a first class service from Pause People for many years, with all of our energy needs met from electricity, gas and water, to helping meet our green energy requirements. I have found them to be fully transparent and trustworthy in all of our dealings which is rare for electricity brokers.

Curling Rink

"A very personable, professional, and efficient service. "

A very personable, professional, and efficient service. Pause People Earth were very easy to work with, kept me up to date with each step of the process, and always responded to any queries quickly. Would highly recommend.

Airport

"I like the thoughtful path pause people are taking to help people on their journey to net zero"

I like the thoughtful path pause people are taking to help people on their journey to net zero and the careful consideration needed to help them reach their destination.

Partner

"Such a fantastic company with the best of intentions at heart"

Such a fantastic company with the best of intentions at heart. Kaylea puts our planet at the forefront of everything she does, and not because of government targets or anything like that, because she truly cares! And so should you. You will love the service you get from Kaylea as she's a wonderful person, but to know you are doing the right thing for our planet is much more of a benefit.

Consultant

"They are incredibly enthusiastic and are always willing to help drive forward new projects."

The team at Pause People collective have been a great support for me since venturing into the world of sustainability. They are incredibly enthusiastic and are always willing to help drive forward new projects.

Housing Association

"We have found them to be friendly, helpful and honest and would highly recommend them to any business."

The service, support and attention to detail offered by Pause People Collective is second to none. We have found them to be friendly, helpful and honest and would highly recommend them to any business.

Battery Solutions

"has been a breath of fresh air in guiding us on our electricity renewal."

Kaylea (Pause People) has been a breath of fresh air in guiding us on our electricity renewal. She took the time to understand our business and our drivers, and was able to provide expert guidance through the minefield of disparate electricity tariffs. At each step of our review, Kaylea was on hand (even late into the evenings) to assist with our changing requirements. The online portal that Pause People provided was an effective visual tool to compare a true "apples to apples" across the breadth of suppliers competing to win business, and allowed us to make a truly informed decision on who we wanted to contract our electricity supply with going forward. As well as working with us on the the electricity contract, Kaylea has offered several other areas that we are now investigating to reduce our costs and further reduce our environmental impact."

Data Centre

"I have found the team at Pause People Earth very professional and supportive with great attention to detail."

I have found the team at Pause People Earth very professional and supportive with great attention to detail. Thank you!

Airport

"I found Pause People Collective to be super easy to deal with."

I found Pause People Collective to be super easy to deal with. They handled our solar enquiry in a friendly, efficient and professional manner, clearly outlining the costs, but more so, the projected financial benefit for us having this solution installed. They really helped us to make a fully informed decision. I’m really pleased with work Pause People Collective have done for us and highly recommend them.

Partner

"There was robust communication from their team which helps one feel more relaxed that the process is being handled in an efficient and effective manner."

The experience with Pause People Earth during our ACA accreditation process was smooth and arranged in a well thought out manner in order for us to meet our deadline requirements. There was robust communication from their team which helps one feel more relaxed that the process is being handled in an efficient and effective manner.

Airport