When we talk about sustainable New Year’s resolutions, we’re talking about goals that are related to addressing social and environmental problems.

That could be reducing your carbon footprint, cutting down on plastic waste, volunteering, or anything else that’s going to make a positive impact.

There are lots of things you can do – from making small tweaks to your daily routine to getting involved in bigger projects.

Reduce waste

Reducing waste is a brilliant eco-friendly New Year’s resolution. By cutting down on wasted materials around your home, you can create a much more sustainable life.

First, try to buy fewer products with packaging designed to be thrown away, opting instead for recyclable or – even better – reusable packaging.

You should also try to keep food waste to a minimum. Only buy and cook what you know you’ll eat, freeze leftovers so nothing goes to waste, and compost any peelings and rubbish.

Finally, at all costs avoid single-use products wherever possible. If you can do that in 2022, you’re on your way to a much more sustainable-conscious year.

Join an organisation as a volunteer

Find an existing social enterprise or perhaps an environmental focused organisation and dedicate your time to a good cause you believe in. Working with like-minded people who are driven by the same passion, knowing that together you are contributing to a better, sustainable, and compassionate world is wonderful and so worth it.

At EQ Investors (EQ) we recognise our broader obligations to people who have been less fortunate than us and take an active interest in our community.

All EQ staff are encouraged to donate two days per year of their time to volunteering initiatives, and we organise a programme of events so that staff can participate as a team.

Do good with your pension

Recent research from Royal London found half of respondents did not know where their pensions funds were being invested. The same study found 41 percent of respondents wanted their pension to be invested ‘responsibly’ but weren’t sure where to start.

Billions of pounds of our pensions are invested in carbon-intensive sectors, such as fossil fuels and fast fashion, or unethical industries such as tobacco, arms, and gambling.

But the truth is that our pensions and investments are powerful. Our research indicates that moving a £100,000 pension pot with a traditional portfolio with oil and gas companies to a Positive Impact portfolio is the equivalent of taking six cars off the road a year.

Green pensions aren’t just good for the planet – they also allow us to take advantage of the enormous economic opportunities of a green industrial revolution.

Donate your money to a good cause

You could send a one-time donation or place a standing order for a monthly donation to support causes you believe in.

Take a look at Tythe – a non-profit donation platform that allows you to make modest sized, regular donations to charities that have been analysed by The EQ Foundation.

Encourage others

It’s time to rally the troops and get friends and family on board with sustainable-living, too.

Introducing them to your favourite sustainable-friendly products and services, helps raise awareness.

People do make changes. In the 80s, recycling was a hassle. Now, it’s something almost everyone does.