It can be a difficult task to become more sustainable by 2020. It is possible to make an impact with small changes. You don't have to give up all the things you enjoy just to be more environmentally friendly, and making small changes can help you feel good about yourself while also doing your part for the planet.
How to become more eco-friendly in your home
The ability to save money while living an eco-friendly life is now easier than ever thanks to innovative technologies. You can reduce the use of plastics, use biodegradable products and compost food scraps. You can also save energy by using appliances and lighting in a more efficient manner, as well as saving water by turning off the taps when brushing your teeth or taking shorter showers.
How to make business eco-friendly
Businesses have an important role to play in the fight against global warming, but need support from consumers, government and other stakeholders. For this reason, companies must ensure they have the support of all their departments to achieve their sustainability goals.
Also, it's important that the supply chain of the products we buy is transparent and ethical. That way, we can make better decisions about the things we purchase.
Andrea George is the director of Vanderbilt University's Sustainability and Environmental Management Office. She says the biggest challenge in achieving sustainability is to overcome consumer resistance. This means not promoting non-sustainable products and offering incentives to encourage customers to switch to environmentally friendly alternatives.
How to become more eco-friendly in the world
Globally, people are more willing to adopt sustainable behaviors. This is good news for businesses and individuals alike. OnePoll conducted a global study and found that more than two thirds said they were willing to make changes to improve their health and environmental impact.
According to the research, people are more likely to alter aspects of their lives when they believe it is relatively easy to do. This could be because people think that the change will benefit them. Or they may believe they can afford it.
The results also indicate that people are more likely adopting these behaviors when the costs are affordable. This is why it's important for companies and organizations to continue to develop environmentally-friendly products and services while still being financially viable.
While the UK has already cut its emissions by 16 per cent since 2014, it has still a huge amount of work to do before it reaches net zero by 2021. The UK must take the initiative in developing a comprehensive framework for climate change, with a detailed, long-term plan. This will require a great deal of funding as well as greater public-private cooperation.