Tips to reduce your carbon footprint
Small changes can make a meaningful difference over time. The best place to start is with the areas that have the biggest impact in your results, such as home energy, transportation, food, or everyday consumption.
Use these tips as practical ideas, not all-or-nothing rules. Focus first on the changes that are realistic for your lifestyle.
At home
If your energy provider offers a renewable tariff, switching can reduce the emissions linked to your electricity use.
Reducing room temperature by even 1°C can lower energy use over time, especially during colder months.
Simple measures such as sealing drafts, using smart thermostats, or upgrading old appliances can reduce both energy use and costs.
Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, wash at lower temperatures where possible, and avoid unnecessary tumble drying.
Shorter showers, efficient showerheads, and lower hot water temperatures can help reduce household energy demand.
Transport
Walking, cycling, public transport, or combining trips can reduce emissions from everyday travel.
Flights can have a large footprint, especially long-haul trips. Reducing flight frequency is often one of the most effective ways to lower transport emissions.
For some journeys, trains, buses, or shared mobility can be lower-impact alternatives to driving or flying.
If you rely on a car, smoother driving, proper tire pressure, and avoiding unnecessary weight can improve fuel efficiency.
Electric or hybrid vehicles can reduce emissions, but the benefit depends on electricity sources, vehicle size, and how much you drive.
Food
Shifting part of your diet toward plant-based meals can significantly reduce food-related emissions.
Animal-based foods often have higher associated emissions than plant-based alternatives, especially beef and lamb.
Plan meals, store food properly, and use leftovers. Food waste increases emissions without providing any benefit.
Highly processed or heavily transported foods can add unnecessary impact. Seasonal and less resource-intensive choices can help.
Consumption and waste
One of the simplest ways to reduce impact is to buy fewer new products and choose durable items that last longer.
Extending the life of clothes, electronics, and household goods can reduce the emissions linked to production and disposal.
Choosing products with less packaging or buying in bulk can lower waste over time.
Recycling matters, but it works best after reducing and reusing. Correct sorting also improves the effectiveness of recycling systems.
Focus on your biggest emission sources first
Not every action has the same impact. The most effective changes usually come from the biggest categories in your results.
- •If transportation is your largest source, reducing flights or car use will usually matter more than small household changes.
- •If home energy is high, heating, electricity source, and insulation may offer the biggest opportunities.
- •If food is a major contributor, eating fewer animal-based meals and reducing waste can make a real difference.
Progress matters more than perfection
Reducing your footprint does not require changing everything at once. Start with the changes that are both realistic and meaningful for your situation. Over time, consistent decisions often matter more than ideal intentions.
Want to see where to start? Use the calculator to identify your main emission sources and explore the actions that are likely to have the biggest impact.