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A family of four is to embark on a challenge to live sustainably without sacrificing their normal lifestyle in a test being piloted by three Swedish firms - construction company A-hus, energy supplier Vattenfall and car manufacturer Volvo.

Current global per capita CO2 emissions are seven tonnes per annum; the chosen family will be challenged, over a period of six months, to achieve a carbon footprint at the rate of one tonne per head per annum.

Torbjörn Wahlborg, managing director of energy provider Vattenfall Nordic Region said of the experiment: “One Tonne Life” will demonstrate in concrete terms what it means for a family to live with a small carbon dioxide footprint. With the right know-how, the right technology and a consistent attitude, we believe it is possible to approach the one-tonne target already today - and without making any major sacrifices to one's regular lifestyle.' 

The family will be moved into a climate-smart wooden house designed by Gert Wingårdh and currently being constructed by A-hus in Hässelby Villastad a western suburb of Stockholm. Solar cells on the roof will even recharge the family's battery-powered electric car courtesy of Volvo.

Wahlborg added: 'Much of the technology and the solutions we are giving the family are already available to the public, or will be in the very near future. So in other words, this is no far-fetched science-fiction project but rather utilisation of what is ready, here and now.'

Environmental experts from the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg will then calculate and evaluate the family's carbon footprint. But the construction team already seem confident of the house's powers of carbon reduction. Peter Mossbrant, managing director of A-hus, added: 'The house design being used in “One Tonne Life” will be on the open market shortly and the experiences and knowledge we gain by participating in this exciting project will be important for us in the development of tomorrow's homes.'

Olle Axelson, senior vice president of public affairs at Volvo Cars, said: 'History is full of examples of how obstacles that were once regarded as impossible have been passed thanks to human innovation and decisiveness.

'However, no industry or organisation can tackle the climate challenge on its own. That is why our “One Tonne Life” partnership is important - it helps us progress from individual carbon dioxide-lean products to a well-thought-out and climate-smart lifestyle.'

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