Global Action Plan's EcoTeams programme is highly effective at reducing household environmental impacts, as demonstrated by data from the 3,602 households that have participated in the UK to date.

In particular, Global Action Plan's online database identified the extent of the savings achieved by households which have taken part in ‘semi-facilitated' EcoTeams projects, who:

• reduced their waste by an average of 20.0%
• increased their recycling as a proportion of total waste by an average of 5.1%
• reduced their electricity consumption by an average of 7.0%
• reduced their gas/ heating energy consumption by an average of 20.8% (seasonally adjusted figures)
• reduced their direct CO2 emissions by an average of 16.6%
• reduced their water use by an average of 14.9%
• average household savings of £148 per annum

Recent independent research conducted by the University of East Anglia attributed EcoTeams' success in terms of pro-environmental behaviour change to two key drivers:

• Group dynamics in team meetings (including social support, social pressure and the diffusion of ‘green' information or ideas), and Weighing and measuring of household rubbish, recycling, and energy use.
• The researchers' in-depth analysis of each of these two mechanisms revealed that they help to facilitate environmentally responsible behaviour in unique, yet complementary ways.

These findings were announced during an event at Westminster Central Hall on 23 June 2008. The event was attended by representatives of local authorities from around the country, who see EcoTeams as a key tool to assist them in achieving the challenging environmental targets that are a part of their National Performance Indicators.

The average council produces at least 30,000 tonnes of carbon per annum, whilst the local community can generate ten million tonnes. Councils will now be penalised if they cannot prove that they are reducing carbon dioxide emissions from their local areas.

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