Pointless emails: they’re not just irritating – they have a massive carbon footprint

More than 64m unnecessary emails are sent in Britain every day. Along with clogging up our inboxes they are also damaging the environment

Stop! Don't send that email. Don't offer thanks or send a jokey message. If you do, you will add to your carbon footprint. Be rude, say nothing - and save the planet.

A new study commissioned by energy company OVO reckons Brits send more than 64m unnecessary emails every day, and that if every adult in the UK sent one fewer "thank you" email a day we would save more than 16,433 tonnes of carbon a year - equivalent to 81,152 flights to Madrid or taking 3,334 diesel cars off the road.