# Government Business Cut Emissions : The 10:10 Initiative - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/09/government-business-cut-emissions-the-1010-initiative/ - Published: 2010-09-19T17:31:15-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## 10:10 Initiative Challenged Government and Business to Cut Carbon Emissions by 10% The 10:10 climate initiative started with an ambitious but remarkably simple goal: cut carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 including government and business to cut emissions. Instead of focusing only on distant climate targets, the campaign encouraged people, businesses, schools, governments and other organizations to take immediate action. The message was clear. Climate change required long-term solutions. However, people could start reducing emissions right away. ### What Was the 10:10 Initiative? ![10:10 Climate Action infographic showing solar panels, wind turbines and practical ways to cut carbon emissions by 10%, including energy efficiency, driving less and greener buildings.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/ 09/07DA32A3-DA4C-4AE2-BD7B-690A54226DC4.png?resize=400%2C267&quality=50&ssl=1) The campaign launched in the United Kingdom in September 2009. Filmmaker Franny Armstrong, director of The Age of Stup-id helped create the movement. Its central idea was easy to understand. [Participants of both government](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/philips-spacewise-led-system-selected-to-participate-in-gsas-green-proving-ground-program-for-potential-to-reduce-lighting-energy-and-operational-costs-by-50-to-75-percent/) and business pledged to cut their carbon emissions and footprint by approximately 10% during 2010. That goal gave people something measurable to work toward. Furthermore, it moved the climate conversation away from promises decades into the future and toward changes that could happen immediately. ### Small Changes Like Government and Business To Cut Emissions will Produce Real Carbon Reductions Government and business cutting [emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/03/how-does-climate-change-impact-the-brain/) by 10% did not necessarily require completely changing someone’s lifestyle. Instead, participants could examine where they consumed the most energy. [Homes and businesses could improve energy efficiency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/02/green-light-change-3-ways-for-your-home/). Yet government and business working to cut emissions really helps the entire effort. In addition, people could also reduce unnecessary driving. Government [Organizations could rethink business travel](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/09/ideal-destinations-for-eco-conscious-adventurers/). [Buildings could definitely cut heating and electricity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/concrete-buildings-as-smart-cities-future-of-infrastructure/) consumption. Meanwhile, [switching off unused lights](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/11/6-items-in-your-bedroom-that-you-need-eco-friendly-materials/) and equipment could reduce wasted electricity. The important point was action. Every reduction contributed toward the larger target. ### Besides Government, Businesses Joined the Climate Challenge to Cut Emissions The initiative wasn’t limited to individuals. Businesses became a major part of the campaign because commercial buildings, transportation, business travel and everyday operations all consume energy. Companies including Microsoft, B&Q and Pret A Manger joined the effort. Schools, hospitals, universities and local governments also participated. By July 2010, the campaign [reported roughly 3,000 businesses](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/10/appraisal-institute-reports-200-bln-can-be-saved-by-homes-and-business-in-usa-annually/) and 80,000 individuals had signed up globally. That demonstrated how quickly a straightforward environmental idea could gain momentum. ### Governments Got Involved Too The campaign eventually reached government institutions. In 2010, the British government [committed to reducing emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/05/pittsburgh-leads-north-america-in-properties-committed-to-50-percent-reductions-in-energy-water-emissions-by-2030/) from central government operations by 10% within 12 months. That was significant. Government buildings and operations consume enormous [amounts of energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/technology-plus-environment-keeping-amazing-amounts-of-energy-off-grid-for-sustainable-future/). Therefore, efficiency improvements could [reduce both emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/epa-awards-496000-to-the-state-of-utah-to-reduce-diesel-emissions-along-the-wasatch-front/) and operating expenses. British embassies also participated. Some achieved substantial reductions through measures such as cutting travel and increasing the use of video conferencing. The connection between environmental action and financial savings became increasingly difficult to ignore. ### Cutting Carbon Can Also Save Money One of the strongest lessons from 10:10 was that reducing emissions could also reduce expenses. [Energy efficiency lowers utility bills](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/03/3-reasons-why-you-should-consider-buying-solar-panels/). Driving fewer miles cuts fuel costs. Reducing [business travel saves](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/aggressive-energy-efficiency-programs-could-save-michiganders-a-cool-13-billion/) transportation expenses. Efficient [heating and cooling systems](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/impecca-announces-single-multi-zone-split-unit/) can lower building operating costs for years. Consequently, carbon reduction did not have to represent an economic sacrifice. In many cases, [wasting less energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/03/is-reclaimed-water-the-key-to-more-energy/) simply meant spending less money. ### The Campaign Became International What began in Britain quickly expanded internationally. The movement eventually spread through dozens of countries and global campaign hubs. Individuals participated. So did businesses, schools, government agencies, hospitals and community organizations. The diversity of participants mattered because climate change could not be solved by one sector alone. Governments could establish policy. Businesses could improve operations. Communities could invest in efficiency. Meanwhile, individuals could change everyday habits. Everyone had a role. ### Why the 10% Goal Mattered The brilliance of 10:10 was its simplicity. Climate change can feel enormous. [Carbon emissions involve transportation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/05/new-trends-in-transportation-infrastructure-2/), electricity generation, buildings, agriculture and industry. A target of 10%, however, felt achievable. It gave participants a specific number. More importantly, it created a deadline. Instead of asking what the world should accomplish by 2050, the campaign asked a much more immediate question: What can you change this year? That remains a valuable question today. ### Conclusion The 10:10 initiative demonstrated that climate action does not always have to begin with massive infrastructure projects or complicated policies. Sometimes it begins by setting a realistic target and getting started. [Cut energy waste](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/easy-steps-to-cut-energy-waste-and-save-money-no-matter-how-cold-it-gets/). Drive less when possible. Improve building efficiency. Reduce unnecessary travel. Use cleaner energy. Then measure the results. One household making those changes creates a small impact. Thousands of households, businesses and governments doing it together create something much larger. The original challenge was to cut carbon emissions by 10%. The bigger idea was even simpler: stop waiting and start reducing. ### Sources 1. The Guardian — 10:10: What’s It All About? [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/01/10-10-campaign-explained](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/01/10-10-campaign-explained) 2. The Guardian — 10:10: The Story So Far [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jul/06/1010-campaign-carbon-emissions](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jul/06/1010-campaign-carbon-emissions) 3. UK Government — Cutting Central Government Emissions by 10% in 12 Months [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cutting-central-government-emissions-by-10-in-12-months](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cutting-central-government-emissions-by-10-in-12-months) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)