There’s something about January that makes us want to start fresh. We join gyms, declutter wardrobes, and promise ourselves we’ll finally learn a new language. Many of us also resolve to live more sustainably. But then, we feel immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice telling us what we should and shouldn’t do.

Here’s the truth: not all environmental actions are created equal. Some habits create meaningful impact, while others offer more psychological comfort than actual results. This year, instead of trying to be perfect in every area, let’s focus on the changes that genuinely move the needle.

Where to focus your energy

The most effective environmental habits share a common trait: they address the biggest sources of individual environmental impact. According to research, the average person in developed nations has the largest footprint in three main areas: what we eat, how we travel, and how we heat and power our homes. A fourth, often overlooked category is where we put our money and influence.

If you’re going to invest energy in changing habits, these are the areas that offer the highest return. Think of it as environmental triage: focusing your efforts where they’ll do the most good.

One practical way to start is simply understanding your own footprint. Tools like MyCarbon, one of the world’s simplest carbon calculators available in EcoMatcher’s free iOS and Android app, and Carbon123, EcoMatcher’s web-based corporate carbon calculator, help translate abstract emissions into something tangible—giving you a clear baseline before you decide where to act.

Habit 1: Shift your diet (even slightly)

Let’s start with the one that might make a lot of people uncomfortable: food. Our diets have an enormous environmental footprint, and the science on this is unambiguous. A 2018 study published in Science, analysing data from nearly 40,000 farms in 119 countries, found that producing meat and dairy accounts for 60% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions whilst providing just 18% of calories and 37% of protein.

The connection to forests is direct. Agricultural expansion, particularly for cattle ranching and animal feed production, is the leading driver of deforestation globally. The Amazon, often called the lungs of the Earth, loses vast areas each year primarily to make way for cattle pasture and soy plantations that feed livestock.

Before you panic, this doesn’t mean one must become vegan overnight. Research from the University of Oxford found that simply reducing meat and dairy consumption—even without eliminating it entirely—can cut an individual’s food-related carbon footprint by up to 73%. The biggest impact comes from reducing beef and lamb, which have vastly higher emissions than chicken, pork, or plant proteins.

Practical entry points include designating certain days as meat-free (Meatless Mondays have become popular for good reason), swapping beef for chicken or fish in your favourite recipes, or exploring plant-based alternatives that have improved dramatically in recent years. The goal isn’t perfection but direction.

Habit 2: Reconsider how you get around

Transportation accounts for a significant chunk of personal emissions, but here’s where we need to be honest about what matters most. Yes, cycling to the shops instead of driving helps, but the really high-impact decisions involve how you commute, what car you drive (if any), and how often you fly.

Air travel deserves particular attention. According to a 2020 report by the European Environment Agency, a single long-haul return flight can generate more emissions than the average person in many countries produces in an entire year from all other sources combined. If you fly regularly for holidays or work, this is likely your largest single impact area.

This doesn’t mean never flying again, but it does mean being more intentional. Could you take one fewer flight this year? Combine multiple trips into one? Choose closer destinations for short breaks? For flights you do take, consider carbon offsetting through verified programmes, including supporting reforestation projects that sequester carbon whilst delivering broader ecological benefits.

For daily transportation, the hierarchy is clear: walking and cycling beat public transport, which beats electric cars, which beat petrol or diesel vehicles. But life is complicated, and not everyone can reasonably cycle to work or afford an electric vehicle. Focus on what’s actually feasible for your circumstances rather than what’s theoretically optimal.

Habit 3: Make your money work for the planet

Most of us rarely think about what our banks do with our deposits or where our pension funds invest, yet these decisions often have more environmental impact than years of careful recycling.

Research from BankTrack found that the world’s 60 largest banks financed fossil fuel companies with over $5.5 trillion between 2016 and 2022. If your money sits in one of these banks, it’s indirectly funding the very industries driving climate change, regardless of how diligently you sort your recycling.

The good news is that switching banks has become easier, and sustainable banking options are growing. Look for banks that commit not to finance fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy and sustainable projects. Similarly, if you have a pension or investment account, explore sustainable fund options—many now deliver competitive returns whilst excluding environmentally destructive industries.

Don’t overlook charitable giving either. If you donate to causes you care about, consider directing some of those donations to high-impact environmental organisations. Supporting reforestation, for instance, addresses climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem restoration simultaneously.

Habit 4: Use your voice and vote

Individual consumer choices matter, but systemic change matters more. This is perhaps the most important mindset shift for effective environmental action. You’ll have more impact by influencing policy and cultural norms than by perfecting your personal consumption habits.

This means contacting your MP about environmental legislation, voting with climate and nature in mind, and—perhaps most importantly—talking openly with friends and family about environmental concerns. Research on social change consistently shows that people are heavily influenced by what they perceive as normal behaviour in their social circle. When you discuss reducing meat consumption or choosing not to fly somewhere, you’re not just making a personal choice—you’re helping shift what’s considered normal.

Don’t underestimate this ripple effect. A 2023 study published in Nature Climate Change found that social influence is one of the most powerful drivers of behaviour change around climate action, often more effective than information campaigns or individual incentives.

Habit 5: Buy less, and buy better

Consumer culture encourages us to constantly acquire new things, but the environmental cost of production, shipping, and disposal is staggering. The fashion industry alone is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissionsand remains a major driver of pollution and resource depletion.

The most sustainable item is often the one you already own. Before making purchases, especially of clothing, electronics, or furniture, try the 30-day rule: wait a month and see if you still want it. You’ll be surprised how often the urge passes.

When you do need something, prioritise quality over quantity, choose second-hand when possible, and repair rather than replace. This is all about being more intentional with resources and often discovering that owning less actually simplifies life rather than diminishing it.

Habit 6: Turn good intentions into a monthly habit

One-off actions are helpful, but consistency is what creates lasting impact. Setting up a simple monthly environmental habit can be one of the most effective ways to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Planting trees on a monthly basis is a practical example. Through EcoMatcher’s ACES program, individuals and corporates can contribute to tree planting every month, supporting verified projects that restore ecosystems, store carbon, and benefit local communities. Over time, these small, regular contributions add up—both in trees planted and in long-term climate impact.

This approach works particularly well alongside footprint awareness tools like MyCarbon and Carbon123: understand your emissions, reduce where you can, and address the remainder through ongoing, transparent climate action.

Consistency over perfection

Research on habit formation tells us that sustainable behaviour change comes from consistency, not intensity. It’s better to reduce your meat consumption by half permanently than to go vegan for two months before returning to your previous diet. It’s better to reliably take the train for business trips than to occasionally cycle to the shop whilst still flying constantly.

Pick one or two habits from this list to focus on rather than attempting everything simultaneously. Master those, let them become automatic, and then consider adding more.

The final word

Individual actions alone won’t solve the climate crisis; we also need policy change, corporate accountability, and systemic transformation. But individual actions matter as part of a larger movement. They matter because they add up, influence others, and keep environmental concerns visible in daily life.