How to Meaningfully Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in 2023

Practical tips for lower-carbon living.

Photo by Andrew Benjack on Unsplash

Despite increasingly ambitious climate goals and ‘pledges’ made by global leaders almost every year, there remains a lack of real, meaningful climate action. 

The problem is all too clear: they want to have their cake and eat it too. 

They want to be seen as doing the right thing (cutting back on emissions), but they’re not willing to sacrifice GDP—because even in the most progressive nations, one’s worth is still measured in dollars and cents—which means business as usual, albeit marketed as ‘green’, ‘sustainable’, ‘eco’ and so on.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for green and sustainable businesses. In principle, they represent a step in the right direction, but the problem lies in the overarching purpose of these businesses. 

But if the focus of these sustainable business models remains the same as conventional businesses—to generate endless financial growth—they’re missing the point, which is that overconsumption is the root cause of global warming.

The alternative is a humanistic approach that ensures an ecologically safe and socially just space for humanity, i.e. Doughnut Economics (watch the TED Talk below by Kate Raworth).

As long as the priority is on profits rather than the welfare of humanity, no number of COP Conferences (the United Nations Climate Change Conference) will make a meaningful difference.

As the Guardian recently reported: 

“Greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high, threatening to push the world into “unprecedented” levels of global heating, scientists have warned.”

It’s time for all of us to step up and do our part by meaningfully reducing our carbon footprint wherever possible. That said, where we are in the world and our personal circumstances will directly affect our carbon emissions. 

I used to walk for hours on end when I was living in Glasgow, but here in Malaysia, our roads and humidity levels make walking a hazardous and sweaty affair. You walk at the mercy of broken pavements, on the edge of roads teeming with cars and mopeds, in the sweltering heat. 

No surprise that you hardly see locals walking. In fact, there’s a common perception in Malaysia that only poor people walk! No, I’m not kidding.

Not all green actions look the same, but what matters is that we’re aware and willing to do what we can.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”—Robert Swan

From going completely off-grid and living in the wild to embracing ultra-low-carbon lifestyles, there are plenty of inspiring stories proving how adaptable and resilient humans can be when we’re determined to make a difference.

But for those of us who aren’t able to go to such extremes, we can still play our part by making simple changes in our daily life. 

Photo by Nicolas Lysandrou on Unsplash

• WORK

• Commuting

  Walking is by far the lowest carbon option, followed by cycling and taking public transport. Driving generates the highest emissions, but if you live in an area with limited public transport, you might not have a choice.

• Go digital

  Technological advancements have provided us with sophisticated tools to work remotely and digitally, securely. Going paperless saves trees while reducing manufacturing and processing emissions, and working remotely reduces commuting emissions while boosting productivity.

• Lights off

  Make it a company policy to turn off unused lights and appliances. You can also increase energy efficiency by installing automatic motion sensor lights and energy-saving LED bulbs.

• LIFESTYLE

• Food

• Switching to a plant-based diet will radically curb your carbon emissions. Even if you’re not able to commit to being a full-on vegan, reducing your meat consumption even a few times a week makes a difference.

• Where possible, buy locally-grown produce; it takes less energy to transport and you’ll be supporting local farmers.

• Reduce food waste by planning your meals in advance and freezing leftovers.

• Shopping

  • How often do you buy new clothes, shoes, and things in general?

  • Do you absolutely need them, or are you lured into buying them thanks to irresistible promos in the form of Black Friday deals, Boxing Day sales, etc?

  • The challenge is real, for sure, but the next time you’re tempted to buy something you want rather than need, remember that every purchase you make generates carbon emissions, even if it’s sustainably made.

  • Instead of buying new, can you repair and reuse instead? For example, if your shoes are falling apart, why not try getting them mended at the cobbler’s? You’ll be extending the lifespan of your shoes while supporting local artisans.

• Travel

  • Make a pact to reduce your international travel—flying is far by the most carbon-intensive way to travel. Instead, support local tourism by taking domestic holidays where you can travel by train or bus. It’s a win-win: good for the environment and the local economy.

  • If you do have to fly, try to avoid multiple stopovers as they generate a much higher carbon footprint compared to direct flights.

• HOME

• Energy

• If you’re a homeowner, have you considered installing solar panels?

• For renters, do you have the option to switch to a clean energy grid (electricity generated from solar, wind or hydropower)? 

• If you don’t already use them, energy-saving LED bulbs are a godsend for your pocket and the environment! 

• And a friendly reminder: always unplug or turn off anything you’re not using. 

• Insulation

  How well are your walls, roofs, and floors insulated? The right kind of thermal insulation will retain heat during winter and keep your home cool in summer, saving you money and helping the environment at the same time.

• Water 

Most of us tend to take water for granted. But water needs to be processed and delivered to our homes, which requires energy and resources. The more of it we use, the higher our carbon footprint. 

So remember this the next time you leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or lathering up during your shower. And don’t boil more water than you need. Every little bit matters.

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but it provides a useful guide to reframe our mindset and value system. By setting a clear intention to mindfully reduce our carbon footprint, this awareness will feed into our daily actions and purchase behaviour.

The more we practise living a lower-carbon lifestyle, the easier it gets. 

Do you have any useful tips to add to the list? I’m always looking for more ways to curb my emissions, so please share your insights!