THE average carbon footprint of households worldwide is about 1,300kg of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

The average carbon footprint of a Singaporean household stands at more than seven times that amount, at about 9,200kg, according to calculations by the Earth Policy Institute.

To help residents get a better gauge of their carbon emissions, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) has come up with the first Singapore-specific, lifestyle-based carbon calculator.

The calculator is part of the SEC Climate Change Portal, a website launched on Friday morning that aims to be a definitive source of information, services and solutions on climate change for Singapore and the region.

Anyone who accesses the website can take a virtual tour through rooms modelled after a four-room flat, clicking on various appliances and answering questions on electricity and power usage.

Based on these answers, an algorithm developed by the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology kicks into place to provide a summary of one's performance, giving the amount of carbon dioxide one produces in a year. There are also recommendations on how to improve one's carbon footprint tailored to the answers given.

Mr Howard Shaw, executive director of the SEC, felt that there was 'a need to consolidate' information on climate change in a way that was relevant to Singapore.

He said: 'There has been a lack of coordination and focus when it comes to the climate change information on the internet. The information is very dispersed and tends to come from Europe and America, instead of being South-east Asia-centred.'

Work started on the portal about eight months ago. By end of the year, SEC hopes to include a carbon calculator for offices as well. They are also working on translating the website into Mandarin Chinese.

You can access the portal at www.climatechange.sg.