Every Buckinghamshire business and householder can do his or her bit to help reduce carbon emissions (CO2) - the most harmful greenhouse gases. With the right advice and guidance not only can we make a major contribution to saving the planet, we can also lighten our energy costs by hundreds of pounds without compromising our present lifestyles.

According to The Carbon Coach, Marlow-based Dave Hampton: "The average total (for home and personal transport) is about 5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per person, per year. But that's modest by comparison with high-achieving captains of industry and others who could be 40 or even 80 tonnes each year.

Dave emphasises: "We all have to cut down dramatically. Ultimately to an average of about 1 tonne each by 2050 or we're stuffed!" In his day-to-day dealings with individual householders, business people and establishment leaders, he spells out the truth about the serious consequences of our current lifestyles and our general disregard for our own future prospects.

Through calculations and observations, plus the use of technology such as the Electrisave meter which monitors electricity consumption, he can quickly assess a situation and arrive at a workable solution.

The Buncefield oil depot conflagration was a disaster which Dave analysed carefully. In his latest newsletter, co2mmuniquŽ, he points out that as well as all the soot, for every barrel of oil burnt at the depot, some 500kg of invisible CO2 was unleashed too.

He says: "The fire will have contributed a needless 400,000 tonnes of CO2. So does that wipe out all my good work of a lifetime - my tiny drop in the ocean? Yes, of course!

"But hang on! If every household in the UK saves a tonne of CO2 in 2006 - shaving a whopping £100 off their energy bill in the process - that's 10m tonnes we've saved between us."

Under Dave's guidance it's always possible to come up with an action plan that will make a hole in anybody's carbon footprint. As he says: "Lightweight or heavyweight, once you've started down the carbon conscious track there is no way back! You cannot become carbon unconscious once you've seen the lite!"

When it comes to advising business, householders and even whole communities he knows the score. He asks some relatively simple questions but gives some equally straightforward answers. Invariably householders end up identifying annual running cost savings of between £250 and £500 a year and reducing tonnes of CO2. And there have been a couple of surveys involving car switching where as much as a £3000 saving has been at stake.

In the broader context of carbon savings, The Carbon Coach, Dave Hampton, is often asked to address formal meetings. For instance he has been talking to Civic Trust audiences and on these occasions usually holds a "speed coach" session to provide people with a rough idea of their current carbon footprint.

But it's not only individuals that David coaches. At Chew Magna, just south of Bristol, he's closely involved with a project where the entire village aims to become zero waste and zero carbon community.

You can find out more about Dave Hampton's low carbon passion at www.carboncoach.com.

There is also a wealth of relevant information on all aspects of global warming at www.4ecotips.com.