Wondering how to be more sustainable? Here are some practical ways you can cut your carbon footprint at home, when you shop, and when you travel.
Lots of people are thinking about the environment more, and what they can do to help.
That means taking a close look at your carbon footprint. We’ll outline a few simple changes you can make to keep yours low, including getting an electric vehicle (EV) on the Motability Scheme.
- Work out your carbon footprint
- What’s the greenest way to travel?
- Easy wins around your home
- Swap out one meaty meal each week
- Buy less, shop smart
- Think sustainable with your savings
Work out your carbon footprint
Emissions in the UK have been steadily falling. Between 1990 and 2024 they dropped by 50.4%. That pace needs to more than double towards the end of this decade.
If you want to make a change, or you’re already making sustainable changes to your lifestyle, it’s best to work out your current carbon footprint first.
The World Wildlife Fund have a simple carbon footprint calculator you can use to figure it out. This will give you a good baseline to start from, before you make your lifestyle changes.
Then fill out the same questionnaire again every six months or each year, to see if you’ve managed to lower your footprint in line with your goal.
What’s the greenest way to travel?
Your vehicle choice has the biggest influence on your carbon footprint. EVs are by far the best way to combat this. They have lowest emissions over a three-year lease, and plenty of sensory advantages too.
The UK Government says over its lifetime, a typical EV produces around two-thirds less emissions than a similar petrol car. That’s even including battery production and disposal.
Once you’re ready, we can help you switch with confidence. We’ll give you charging support if you lease an EV on the Scheme.
Public transport is getting greener too. Electric buses and trains are there to give you quieter and cleaner journeys. And they’re becoming more accessible and inclusive too.
If you’re booking a holiday, take the train, not a plane. They have less impact on the environment, especially if they’re electric.
And for your daily commute, cycling or walking is best. Even if it’s just for part of your journey. You’ll stay fit and healthy too.
Easy wins around your home
The simplest changes start at home. You can save energy, and some money, by forming some new, everyday habits:
- Switch off every light and appliance you’re not using
- Boil only what you need for cooking
- Spend less time in the shower or have a shallow bath
- Never overfill your kettle
- Try not to leave your applications on ‘standby’
- Fill your dishwasher up fully
That last one is based on how much energy dishwashers use, according to The Guardian. Here’s how emissions-friendly each way of washing the dishes is:
- Almost no emissions: by hand in cold water
- Some emissions: by hand, using hot water sparingly
- High emissions: using a dishwasher at 65°
So make the most of each wash and try to use your machine’s ‘eco’ setting.
Alongside those, make sure you recycle more than just your bottles and plastics. Electronics, clothing and batteries can all be recycled too. Look for recycling take back schemes. This is when a retailer or producer collects products back from you, so they can reuse them.
If you’re looking to make a bigger dent in your home’s carbon emissions, you’ll need to properly insulate your home. And choose eco-friendly heating options, like smart controls and heat pumps.
Swap out one meaty meal each week
The meat and dairy industries are responsible for 11 to 20% of global emissions. That’s huge. Too much meat is not good for your health either.
If you’re not keen on eating plants all the time, just try one vegetarian or vegan meal each week. That’s a simple swap that will help you vary your diet. And you might even be able to pull some of those dusty veggie cookbooks off the shelf too.
Once you’ve settled on your recipe, batch cook and freeze some portions, to keep things budget friendly. It’s easy to grab something already made, especially for your work lunch.
Buy less, shop smart
So many of us bin clothes before their time. According to Picvisa and Statista, a total of 183.8 billion garments were thrown away in 2023. That’s a lot of waste.
Our first tip to is to shop second hand when you can. More and more people are adopting a preloved mindset with their clothing choices.
Today, people are often proud to talk about their savvy second-hand finds. And there are plenty of community groups you can swap clothes in.
Another way to save you needing new clothes at all is to repair the ones you have. Instead of throwing something away when that first hole appears, think about sewing it closed instead.
This works for tech and appliances too. Sometimes it’s cheaper to get them fixed than it is to buy a new one.
Lastly, we’re all prone to an impulse buy. A good tip is to think twice before you buy something. Ask yourself if you really need it? Plan ahead well and you’ll find this impulse strikes less often.
Think sustainable with your savings
If it feels right for you, you could change your pension plan, so it’s only invested in sustainable options, like environmentally friendly companies and projects.
Similarly, you could choose to keep your savings at a bank you know has the right environmental mindset. Pick one that has good values, and you’ll feel better about where your money’s sitting.
Which change will you make first?
We’ve given you plenty of ideas to make your own. Taking that first step is as simple and choosing one and giving it a try.
If you really want to make the biggest impact, choose an EV on the Scheme. With our support, it’s one of the most powerful ways you can lower your carbon footprint.
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