03 Mar 2011 10:03:19

Govt launches My2050 CO2 emissions game

Members of the public can now create their own version of the UK's energy future on a new simulation launched by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

My2050 allows users to select from a range of power sources, energy-efficient improvements and behavioural changes to try and reduce the UK's CO₂ emissions in line with the 2050 target of 80 percent.

Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne said: "This project is all about getting to grips with the hard choices and trade-offs which need to be made, choices which will affect our homes, communities and the way we travel."

He added: "There's no silver bullet solution to the UK’s energy future."

Updates have also been made to the 2050 calculator, which offers a view of projected emissions based on the limits of different technologies, following consultation with engineers, environmental groups and energy companies.

The DECC said the changes will provide a more accurate picture of future emissions.

Last year, the government began publishing real-time information on the energy being used at all 18 Whitehall headquarters as part of the government's plan to cut CO₂ emissions by ten percent within one year.