Survey Finds 1 in 4 Brits Resolve to Live More Sustainably in 2021

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Survey Finds 1 in 4 Brits Resolve to Live More Sustainably in 2021

Have your lockdown walks made you realise the importance of looking after the environment? Have you just not missed the lifestyle of endless consumption, and started focusing on the things that are really important to you? You’re not alone.

Research carried out by the environmental charity, Hubbub, has found that 1 in 6 adults in the UK have made a new year’s resolution to live more sustainably.

Of 3000 people surveyed, over half said they wanted to get better at recycling, 49% said they would eat less meat, 38% said they would walk or cycle more, and 36% said they would waste less food.

The survey also suggested that UK consumers are starting to think about the impact of ‘fast fashion’ and whether they need as much ‘stuff’ in general. More than a third of respondents said they would buy less stuff they didn’t need, and this was the case even among the younger age groups surveyed, who said they had found themselves ‘making do’ and shopping in charity shops more often.

As well as pledging to live more sustainably, people said that they wanted companies to make it easier for them to make greener choices. In particular, around 30% of survey respondents said that companies and brands should:

• Stop making and selling products that people don’t really need.
• Produce products that are made to last.
• Stop constantly pressuring people to buy things they don’t need.

Helping people live more sustainably

Hubbub recently launched a campaign in Manchester to help communities and individuals understand what they can do to help tackle climate change and to bust the myth that environmentally-conscious living is expensive and inconvenient.

The charity has joined forces with Manchester City Council, Manchester Climate Agency, and other partners such as the Co-op and Coca Cola GB to introduce campaigns that can help Manchester become a zero-carbon city by 2038 and help people live healthier, save money, and live in a safer, cleaner, and healthier environment.

It’s hoped that eventually, the campaign will be launched in other cities across the UK.

How you can live more sustainably in 2021

Greener living doesn’t have to be confusing, expensive, or inconvenient. Hubbub has provided some guidance on how you can make a difference.

When it comes to FOOD, the charity suggests:

• Cutting your consumption of red meat by 30%
• Reducing dairy consumption by 20%
• Buying local, seasonal, and less processed foods

When it comes to your HOME, Hubbub suggests:

• Committing to reducing the waste you throw away by 40% (by recycling more, composting, making use of leftovers etc)
• Recycling all of your electronic waste properly
• Switching to a green energy tariff
• Heating your home with electricity

When it comes to travel, Hubbub suggests:

• Walking or cycling rather than driving
• Purchasing an electric vehicle when you replace your car

When it comes to making a difference in your community, Hubbub suggests:

Getting involved with, or donating to conservation projects like tree planting and nature reserves

How will you be greener in 2021? Is being kinder to the environment among your resolutions?