10 Eco New Year’s Resolutions With Biggest Impact

The UK has outlined a strategy to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050. To get us closer to that goal, a new study has revealed the top 10 eco resolutions we should make in 2023 to have the greatest impact on our CO2 emissions, according to green energy experts at Uswitch.com, the comparison service.

In cooperation with Professor Sam Fankhauser, Research Director of Oxford University Net Zero, Uswitch.com analysed current carbon emissions and estimated how they could differ in 2050 if certain changes were implemented. The difference in total carbon emissions of each action was calculated against the UK’s overall CO2 emissions to reveal the best way to reduce emissions in our everyday lives.

The study found that there are plenty of actions that we can turn into effective New Year’s resolutions in 2023 that can help the UK reach zero carbon emissions, from changing our diets to how we travel.

Table: Top 10 changes that make the biggest environmental difference

If we…

Total CO2 emissions reduction

1

Only use renewable energy

19%

2

All UK 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%

Source: Uswitch.com

According to the data, if every person in the UK only used renewable energy and practised energy efficiency measures, the UK’s total CO2 emissions would be reduced by nearly 19%, making this the top eco resolution for Brits to make in 2023.

Opting for an electric car is the second-most impactful eco-resolution to stick to next year. If just half of the drivers switched to an EV, carbon emissions would be reduced by 4% and if EVs replaced three-quarters of the current vehicles on the road, that number would more than double, reducing our total emissions by 9%.

Individual actions also have a large impact on reaching net zero carbon emissions. If everyone in the UK stopped commuting by car (instead opting for public transport or cycling) we could reduce our overall emissions by nearly 7%, which is equivalent to 30.5 million tons less CO2.

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, commented: “Reaching net zero emissions by 2050 may seem like an arduous task, but it’s interesting to see how we can all contribute with small changes to get to this goal. Each and every person holds a lot of power in terms of our climate’s future outcome, so it’s good to showcase the daily actions we can take to make a true impact.”