The idea that those the rich West should pay for the damage their carbon-rich lifestyles inflict on vulnerable communities is at the heart of a new Unicef UK online fundraising campaign which asks for a £10 donation for each tonne used.

‘Carbon Positive’, launched today, allows both individuals and companies to calculate their carbon footprint on the Unicef website. After the calculation is complete Unicef will suggest a donation of £10 per tonne used. The charity hopes to raise £500,000 via the microsite this year.

Users will be expected to make a direct link between their own carbon footprint and the impact of climate change on children in vulnerable communities. Having calculated their footprint and deciding to donate, the site users will be given the opportunity to specify what kind of climate change ‘adaptation’ projects they would like their donations to be directed towards.

A spokeswoman for Unicef told Civil Society that the charity is already in talks with a number of corporates about possible support for the campaign.

Unicef UK executive director David Bull said that the site will enable people to see the effect they are directly having on others, instil in them a sense of responsibility and enable them to contribute to change in a positive way.