It’s 2022 and the nation is making new year pledges that will reduce their carbon footprint and will help them to be kinder to the planet.

We conducted a survey to find out how far people are now prepared to go, to reach zero carbon targets and care for the environment.

The study of 2,000 adults showed the things people say they’d give up completely in order to save the planet, with 41 per cent agreeing to restrict themselves to just food from the British Isles. One in ten adults in the UK say they will happily eat burgers made from locusts instead of beef. In addition, nearly a quarter would eat no more chocolate (22 per cent) and 25 per cent would wave goodbye to coffee to prevent global warming.

A third of people are now prepared to turn their back on all foreign travel (34 per cent). And one in six young adults (17 per cent) insist they would abandon plans to have children if it was guaranteed to save the planet.

It’s incredible to see the lengths people are prepared to go to save the planet, but it doesn’t have to be as drastic as some of these options. Making changes to our individual lifestyles can be one of the most effective ways to slow down the impact of climate change. Yet smaller lifestyle alterations are more feasible to sustain and they do make a big difference in the long run.

Swapping items in your weekly shop for organic, regeneratively farmed produce, or at least British grown, will help you reduce your carbon footprint whilst still enjoying a lifestyle that makes you happy. Sustainability isn’t about sacrifice. These are the changes that you can commit to for the future, so that we’re not just focusing on sustaining the planet but actively making choices which are helping to regenerate the plant and improve it for future generations.

The research found that one in five would be prepared to have just a single bath or shower a week if it definitely made a difference and one in three said they would stop buying new clothes and simply wear recycled and second-hand clothing.

Almost a quarter of 25 to 34 year olds say they intend to swap their car for a bicycle to help stop climate change and 40% say their next car will be all electric.

It’s a great time to think about how you can make small changes to do your bit to help the planet. Whether vowing to walk more, drive less or grow more of your own fruit and veg, it all builds up to a big difference. If you’re looking for inspiration on the small changes that can be made to reduce your carbon footprint and simple and easy-to-implement long-term changes, then give the recording of our virtual event a watch. There are tips and shopping hacks from our panel of experts. Click here to watch the video.

Other things people would give up to help the planet include:

• All imported food (41%)
• Travelling abroad (34%)
• New clothes (29%)
• Exotic fruit like bananas, mango and coconut (27%)
• Coffee (25%) (37% 18-24)
• All wine, beer and other alcohol made/brewed outside the UK (24%) (34% 18-24)
• Mowing the lawn to encourage biodiversity (23%)
• Chocolate (22%) (28% 18-24)
• Smart phone (20%)