A NEW map has revealed which areas of the Bradford district have the best and worst carbon footprints.

The map, termed a place-based carbon calculator, grades areas of the district by the level of their carbon emissions, with the difference between the best and worst areas a whopping 14 tonnes of carbon

It looks at the average amount of carbon emitted per person in total and from electricity, gas, other heating, car driving, van driving, flights and consumption of goods and services, and for each gives a grade from A to F.

To get an A- or higher grade an area is in the best ten per cent of areas for emissions, while A+ areas are in the top one per cent. For F+ and F- grades it is the same, but at the other end of the scale.

Perhaps surprisingly, the areas with the lowest emissions are all based in inner city Bradford, while the worst offenders are in more rural areas of the district.

The map is broken down in Lower Super Output Areas, covering areas of around 1,500 people, breaking the district into more than 100 different areas.

Gaining an A+ are ten areas in and around the city; Shearbridge, the area around Spring Mill St, City Park and University area, Bierley, Barkerend, White Abbey, the area around Sunbridge Rd, Girlington, the area around Lilycroft Rd and Ravenscliffe, which all have emissions below 3,000kg of CO2 per person.

The area around the University and City Park is dominated by flats and students, which explains the low energy usage and very low emissions from driving, with each person emitting 1,970kg of carbon dioxide a year.

At the other end of the scale, no areas in the district are in the worst one per cent of areas for emissions, but several have a carbon footprint big enough to be in the worst ten per cent.

Receiving an F grade are Idle and the area around West Lane in Baildon, where the emissions are a huge 14,400kg and 15,900kg of carbon per person.

The area around West Lane performed particularly badly on emissions from consumption of goods and services and flights, which could be down to the more affluent residents in this area.

Getting the slightly better F+ grade are Bell Dean, Sandy Lane, rural areas around Menston, and residential areas around Burley-in-Wharfedale, Hawksworth, and Ilkley.

The research has been compiled using a mix of detailed data where available as well as surveys and modelling.

It was created in collaboration between the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions, the Universities of Leeds and Manchester, Transport for the South East, and Steer, using funding from UK Research and Innovation.