One tonne family

Sweden's Environmental Affairs Minister Andreas Carlgren officially closed the "One Tonne Life" project in Hasselby just outside Stockholm. Over a period of six months, the Lindell family have lived climate-smart with their sights firmly set on reducing their emissions from the normal 7.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year to the minimal figure of just one tonne.

Following an impressive final sprint, the Lindells finished at 1.5 tonnes. This means the family have succeeded in cutting their emissions by almost 80 percent compared with their start back in January. Over a period of six months, the Lindells have switched from their normal 1970s villa and 10-year-old cars to a brand-new, climate-smart wooden house from A-hus and a battery-powered Volvo C30 Electric.

Vattenfall has provided renewable electricity, new energy technology and energy coaching. ICA and Siemens are the project's partners in the areas of food and household appliances.

Transport and electricity consumption are the areas where the family made the most progress. Emissions from transport dropped by more than 90 percent, not least thanks to the fact that the family's Volvo C30 Electric was recharged using electricity from hydro-power.

The family's house, built by A-hus, produces its own electricity and with supplementary renewable electricity from hydro-power, carbon dioxide emissions from purchased electricity are almost zero. All told, carbon dioxide emissions from the family's home have been more than halved.

Food is the third area in which the family made immense progress. By not throwing away food and by choosing wisely, emissions were significantly reduced. By varying the choice of meat and eating more vegetables, anyone can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from food.

Towards the end of the trial period, the Lindells ate only vegetarian dishes, and dairy produce was replaced with soya and oats-based alternatives.