New Year’s is a time for reflection and goal setting and this New Year could be the best year yet if you make some simple eco-friendly resolutions.
With energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and cost-effective measures taken, individuals have a plethora of options when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.
According to a recent study conducted by Uswitch and Professor Sam Fankhauser of Oxford University Net Zero, from changing our diets, energy consumption habits, to how we travel – there are plenty of actions for 2023 that can help reach zero emissions.
Results were calculated against the UK’s overall CO2 emissions to reveal which resolutions make the biggest impact in terms of energy savings and environmental protection.
Uswitch.com green energy experts advise that one of the most impactful New Year’s resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint is by switching to a renewable energy tariff, reducing your CO2 emissions significantly.
Implementing any one or all of these resolutions may potentially create great progress towards a net zero future. So this New Year, find ways to include energy saving activities into your daily routine and become part of the solution!
Below are the top 10 changes that make the biggest environmental difference in the coming year:
If we… | Total CO2 emissions reduction | |
1 | Only use renewable energy | 19% |
2 | All passenger cars went electric | 12% |
3 | 75% of cars switched to EV | 9% |
4 | Stopped taking international flights | 8% |
5 | All went vegan | 7% |
6 | Stopped commuting by car (opt for the train, bike, or bus) | 6% |
7 | 50% of cars switched to EV | 5% |
8 | Halved the number of international | 4% |
9 | Perfectly insulated our homes | 4% |
10 | Reduced food waste | 3% |
Making other small changes like using public transport or cycling to work, reducing international flights, improving house insulation and opting for a vegan diet can also have a big environmental impact with around 30.5 million tons of CO2 being reduced just through changing our commuting habits alone.
So why not give these eco New Year’s resolutions a go in 2023?
It’s incredible how we can change the world simply by insulating our homes. An additional benefit is that a sustainable life always means saving money.
Read these 12 steps to insulating your home that can help you reduce heating costs this winter and save the planet: https://happyhiller.com/blog/ideas-on-insulating-your-home-this-winter/.
Consider installing high-efficint HVAC system to make your home more eco-friendly. For this, look into appliances with a high SEER rating and ENERGY STAR labeling.
Also, please remember to check the new HVAC regulations 2023. These changes are legally effective from January 1 this year.
Thank you for the reminder! I only want to add that new minimum efficiency requirements differ depending on the area you live in.
Here you can find a map and find out “your minimum”: https://polestarplumbing.com/news-media/upcoming-changes-of-efficiency-standards-for-hvac-systems.
I agree that using high-efficient SEER-rated appliances can greatly improve a home’s energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint. However, even if you don’t have new high-efficient equipment such as heaters and air conditioners, you can drastically improve the efficiency of your system by doing regular maintenance.
Even such a thing as a clean air conditioner filter can make a big difference. The good news is that changing a filter is pretty easy, and you can do it yourself just for 5-10 minutes. But if you have never done this, you can hire an HVAC contractor for the first time to show you how to do it correctly.