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To start your journey to reducing your carbon footprint and contribute to the all-important net zero aim, it is essential to take a look at the small daily tasks and travel plans you may have, and work on making small changes to these where necessary.

More prevalent than ever in 2023, these small daily changes could contribute to an overall positive impact on not only your local community, but also the global environment and its sustainability. It may be that you have made some of these changes already and have not yet realised! We have collaborated with the Green Accord to create 10 useful tips to give you some idea of the small things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint….

1. Take a look at your commute…

If you can, swapping driving to work to walking or cycling can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. If that’s not viable, see if you can car share or take the bus, or train. Small changes to begin with, can make a big difference.

2. Remember to take your reusable water bottle or travel mug out with you.

In the UK we use a staggering 35 million plastic bottles every day! Plastic is energy-intensive to make and is made up of fossil fuels, so taking your reusable water bottle when you’re out and about is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint!

Equally, takeaway coffee cups have a thin plastic lining making them difficult to recycle. Many coffee shops will offer a discount for bringing your own cup, so ditch takeaway coffee cups for a reusable travel mug to reduce waste and save!

3. Buy less and shop second hand!

Every new item you buy has its own carbon footprint so try to repair rather than replace and shop second-hand where you can. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree are great for household items, and mobile apps such as Vinted and Depop can help you to give a second life to clothes and reduce waste!

4. Be energy smart!

Making energy-conscious choices at home can go a long way to reducing your impact and save on household bills. Washing clothes at colder temperatures, air-drying washing rather than tumble-drying, only boiling the water you need in the kettle, using pan lids when cooking, and switching to LED lightbulbs are a few easy actions to get started. Smart meters are a great way to monitor your energy use at home, and they also measure demand, so less energy is wasted on the grid!

5. Measure your carbon footprint!

Download the WWF My Footprint App and take the quick quiz to calculate your personal carbon footprint! By measuring your footprint, you can get a better understanding of how your individual activities contribute to climate change and identify areas where you can reduce your emissions. There are loads of ideas, actions, and challenges on the app to help you on your journey. You could even get friends and family involved to see who can reduce their footprint the most!

6. Switch to a sustainable bank.

Many UK banks invest their customer’s money in fossil fuel companies, often without us realising. Researching where and how your bank invests your money can help you to make an informed decision about whether to make a change. There are lots of helpful guides online to help you to find ethical banks that invest in green energy for the future and projects to benefit local communities. 

Useful link to get started: Current Accounts Ethical Banks in the UK (moneyexpert.com)

7. Consider alternate travel options for holidays!

Flights make up a significant portion of your carbon footprint – in addition to the emissions from fuel. Did you know that releasing greenhouse gas emissions at high altitude during flights has a greater warming effect than releasing them at ground level? So, when you’re planning your next trip, consider alternate travel options to avoid flying or try a staycation!

Useful link to get started: Air travel | Greenpeace UK

8. Check your insulation!

Have you checked your house insulation? You could be wasting heat and money in your home if the insulation has not been installed correctly or needs replacing. Do some research and make sure you’re not wasting your money and energy, heating a home that could be insulated better. If you’re not sure how to do this, check out your property’s Energy Performance Certificate at Find an energy certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

9. Limit your food waste!

One of the most effective actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint is to minimise food waste at home. Globally a staggering one third of food produced each year is thrown away, with half of all food waste taking place in homes. Waste less by planning your meals, only buying what you will use, keeping track of use-by dates and buying ‘wonky’ fruit and veg. You’ll save money in the process too!

10. Talk about Climate Change and raise awareness!

Talking to friends and family about climate change is one of the most important things you can do. Sharing your knowledge, worries, and personal experiences can be a great way to get others interested and motivated to take action.