Toolkit: Individual Actions

I will leave 20% of my green space at home, workplace or community space to nature, and let my lawn grow longer so that flowers have time to set seed.

I will switch accounts to a bank that invests in sustainability and doesn’t support fossil fuels.

I will stop using at least 50% of the chemical fertilisers I currently use at home and in my workplace / community space.

I will research, plan and implement at least 5 smart driving initiatives.

I will buy the most energy efficient appliances that I can afford and make long-term savings.

I will offer rarely used equipment or tools to my friends and neighbours (or businesses).

I will turn off all of my devices at the wall when they are not being used every day.

I will find out more about how I can borrow money more cheaply to make energy efficiency savings in my building.

I will commit to buying a smaller / less polluting vehicle that uses the least energy per mile driven when I next change my home / business vehicle.

I will only buy second hand items or those made from recycled materials for the next year.

I will get together with my neighbours and we will switch together to a provider of renewable electricity.

I will dig a pond (or provide a micro wildlife pond in a pot).

I will avoid using petrol equipment for at least half of my garden / workplace / community space.

I will take the 30-wear pledge and reduce my purchases of new clothes by at least a half this year (or make sure that business uniforms are returned when employees leave).

I will read about the impact of buying things and will wait 24 hours before buying anything new.

I will use a no-dig approach to successful growing when starting to cultivate the green space around me.

I will get to know my home or building and seal up at least half of the draughts this year.

I will stop buying air freighted ‘short shelf-life’ foods at home or for my workplace/community space.

I will support a local community energy project.

I will only buy food that I know that I will use.

I will use public transport at least once a week.

I will fly 30% less than last year.

I will increase my food crop and grow at least 3 different things this year.

I will lobby my employer to opt for a pension fund which makes investments in low carbon industries and boycotts fossil fuel companies.

I will install a heat pump to replace my inefficient heating system this year.

I will review all insulation options available for my home or building and complete at least half.

I will buy my insurance from companies that are working to reduce carbon emissions.

When I choose a pension, I will choose funds which have “decarbonised” their investments.

I will find out about community (electric) car hire / sharing clubs in my area – and if there is one, join it.

I will commit to buying a second hand or new electric car or van as my next home / business vehicle.

I will join my nearest climate action network and encourage my parish council and any groups that I work with to be part of it.

I will keep my phone and laptop for at least a year longer than I would have done previously.

I will turn down my heating by 1⁰C, and find out the most efficient way to run my heating system.

I will join a local and / or national group to lobby for change.

I will use a mortgage lender that looks after the planet.

I will review all insulation options available for my home or building and complete at least half.

I will check out the most energy efficient setting for all of my appliances and make sure that they are all working to their maximum efficiency.

I will share my journeys twice a week for the next year.

I will use my local repair cafe or repair shops at least 3 times this year.

I will stop at least 50% of my food waste going to landfill by putting it into a compost or the council food waste bin.

I will invest my money with carbon reduction as a priority (companies which report on their carbon emissions, set targets in line with international agreements and do not invest in fossil fuels).

I will have meat, poultry, fish or dairy free Mondays for the coming year.

I will buy or borrow an electricity monitor and actively monitor and manage my usage of every appliance I have at home/workplace this year.

I will check labels and only use peat free compost for my home or business.

I will plant at least 1 tree at home or in my community space / workplace following the ‘Right Tree in the Right Place’ guidance and make sure that it is looked after.

I will make at least 1 less major purchase this year.

I will organise my meals and fridge so that I throw away at least 50% less unused food each week.

I will reduce my water consumption by 20% this year.

I will attend a local seed swap this year.

I will install solar photovoltaic panels on my house/building this year.

I will install solar thermal water heating in my house/building this year.

I will check out my lighting and replace high energy bulbs with low energy LED bulbs this year.

I will switch my home or business energy provider to a ‘green’ tariff for electricity.

I will switch my home or business energy provider to a ‘green’ tariff for gas.

I will reduce my car miles by a fifth this year.

I will send a message to my local MP to let them know how important it is for climate change to be included in every decision.

I will wear more clothes and turn down my heating this year.

I will get to know the best time of day to turn on my appliances and switch my usage to the time with the least emissions from energy generation.

I will make half of my usual short car journeys (up to 2 miles) by walking or cycling for the next year.

I will contact my parish / town Council to find out if they have declared a Climate (and Ecological) Emergency and have a Carbon Reduction Plan.

I will commit to vote for the politicians who will prioritise climate change and the natural world.

I will install a water butt to collect rainwater for watering the garden and find out who to talk to about water waste at my workplace / community space.

I will convince my workplace to get an energy/carbon audit and act on it this year.

I will convince my workplace to install electric car charging point(s) for company, employee or visitor vehicles.

I will take zero flights for the next year.