New Year’s resolutions: seven ways to protect the planet in 2026
Climate action doesn’t have to mean drastic lifestyle changes. As 2026 begins, focusing on realistic, repeatable habits is one of the most effective ways individuals can reduce their environmental impact over time.
Here are seven new year’s resolutions you can make to have a greener 2026.
1. Use less single-use plastic
Globally, the production of plastics leads to annual carbon emissions equal to that of 189 coal-fired power stations. Scientists have also predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish, so cutting down on single-use plastics in 2026 is a really important change to make.
Here are some ideas to cut down on plastic:
- Ditch disposable wipes – Wipes such as makeup, baby or household cleaning wipes are generally not biodegradable, and it can take over 100 years for just one to even start to break down. They also often get flushed down the toilet and clog the sewer systems. Buying reusable cotton pads or cloths will save money on wipes – and save the wipes from polluting the earth.
- Buy unwrapped fruit and veg: Opt to buy fruit and vegetables that are loose, or wrapped with paper to reduce demand for wrapped products.
- Bring a packed lunch: Avoid buying to-go meals which are often covered in plastic, by bringing your own food.
Start off with: Choosing one plastic-heavy habit to change this week, such as switching disposable wipes for reusable cloths.
2. Choose clothes you’ll love for longer
This year, buy clothes that you’re going to love and keep. But commit to doing it through second hand stores like Depop, Vinted, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace or charity shops. You can search for incredibly specific terms, brands and sizes; and inevitably find a low-carbon bargain that’s perfect for you. This is particularly helpful if you have little people you need to dress, who often grow out of clothes while there is still a lot of life left in them.
Start off with: Creating a profile on a second-hand clothes app and having a good browse through some of your favourite brands.
3. Eat less meat
Eating less meat has many benefits to both your health and to the planet. Around 80% of the world’s agricultural land is used for raising or feeding livestock, which produces less than 20% of the world’s supply of calories. If more agricultural land was used for crops, legumes, fruit and vegetables, it would be easier to provide the growing global population with nutritious food.
Beef and lamb take up the most land per gram of protein, and also require more water and energy to produce, giving them each some of the highest carbon footprints per types of protein. Swapping meat out from one or two meals a week can make a big difference.
Instead: focus on adding in more in-season vegetables, beans and interesting new grains – anyone heard of millet? By doing this, you will naturally shift the balance towards a more eco-friendly diet without feeling like you’re missing out on anything. And it’ll be tasty too!
Start off with: Buying a locally-sourced vegetable you haven’t had before, or choosing a tasty plant-based meal out.
4. Leave the car at home
If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get more exercise, then leaving the car at home as much as possible is a great place to start. Walking, cycling or taking public transport are better alternatives for the environment, and help build regular movement into your day without needing a dedicated workout slot.
Transport is the largest emitting sector in the UK – responsible for 26% of all of our greenhouse gas emissions. And many of these emissions come from short, everyday trips that could be made on foot, by bike or by public transport instead. So, by opting to leave the car at home for shorter journeys, you can help reduce air pollution, ease congestion and lower your personal carbon footprint, while supporting healthier, more active routines at the same time.
When it comes to your next holiday, why not add in a week’s holiday at home? A week where you say no to non-essential chores, and you commit to exploring the nearby area, trying local food and going to places you haven’t been to before. It might just mean one fewer flight or long journey. If you feel like you’ve exhausted your local area, how about a house swap with a friend?
Start off with: Researching days out close to you, new local walks and independent eateries that you haven’t been to before.
5. Join a local climate action group
If you’re passionate about local issues, why not volunteer at a local climate action group? Whether it’s litter picking in your local area, campaigning for better walking or cycling routes or meeting with your local MP to discuss working together on climate action.
Friends of the Earth have a large network of climate action groups around the UK, as do Transition Network. You don’t need any experience to join a climate action group, just enthusiasm towards a common goal – protecting our planet.
Start off with: Following a local climate action group on social media to stay in the loop.
6. Start growing
If you have house plants, take cuttings from them and turn them into tiny new plants to give as presents, or to add to your own personal collection. If you have somewhere outside you can grow some vegetables; or a windowsill you can grow tomatoes on, do that. The perfect time of year to get started with sowing seeds is March; so try to get a plan together beforehand.
If you’re limited with space, vertical growing is a great option. You could choose to grow a variety of herbs that are not only beautiful, they smell amazing and add so much flavour to your foods. They can easily be frozen or dried for colder months.
Finally, home composting can help you to reduce your waste, and provides a lot of nutrients for home grown plants, saving you money on enriched soils.
Start off with: Chatting with a green-fingered friend and buying the seeds that they have had the most luck with.
7. Make your home greener
There are many ways that you can reduce your carbon emissions by making some changes at home.
- Upgrade to energy efficient appliances – Swap halogen lightbulbs for LEDs, look into energy efficiency ratings when buying a new appliance and reduce how much you are using energy intensive appliances like tumble dryers. Find out more.
- Insulate your home – When we switch the heating on, around a quarter of that heat energy will escape through an uninsulated roof – leading to us quickly feeling cold and wasting a lot of energy and money. Insulating your roof and walls is an effective way to save a lot of energy, and pays for itself through savings in your bills in less than five years. There are grants available for lower income households to help with the costs. Find out more.
- Get a smart meter – Smart meters automatically tell your energy company how much energy you are using, and they help you to understand your habits and spot ways to save too. Find out more.
- Switch to 100% renewable electricity – Switching to a genuinely green tariff is one of the most impactful ways to cut your carbon emissions – and takes just 2 minutes. Learn more about our 100% renewable supply here.
- Look into green technologies – Air source heat pumps are a greener, more efficient way to heat your home, and solar panels help you to reduce how much energy you are drawing from the grid.
Start off with: Switching to a 100% renewable energy supplier to instantly lower your carbon footprint.
