2025 Sustainability Wrapped

Happy New Year’s Eve folks! It doesn’t feel five minutes since we were just embarking on this new year and setting our 2025 goals. There have been global high and lows, and personal progress too this year, so before we look ahead to 2026, let’s reflect on sustainability in 2025…

In 2025 the story of the last few years continued, the scale of action needed for sustainability and climate action is still urgent, essential and a priority for this decade. As we move closer and closer to 2030 and the goals we set set as a global collective, real action will need to be expanded and doubled down upon. On one hand, this landmark year, being a decade on from the 2015 Paris Agreement and halfway through the 2020s on the path to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, did not come close to the ambition and impact we needed to see. Globally we have still seen division, inequality, climate denialism and rising emissions. But some progress has emerged during 2025, as complied from the BBC.

This includes the rise in global energy generated from renewable sources, overtaking coal as the world’s largest source of electricity. There have been some strengthening of environmental and nature based laws, such as the High Seas Treaty, to protect more marine areas and glimmers of hope in conservation success stories, such as the growing population of Green Turtles. While COP30 did not deliver the strong frameworks we were looking for, the significance of having a committed group of leaders to transitioning away from fossil fuels is a definite sign of progress compared to previous years. 2025 also marked the continuation of strengthening climate justice, by being bought to the International Court of Justice, helping to keep countries accountable for their climate impacts. Indigenous groups were also included more in this year’s global conferences, allowing more voices to be included in climate discussions.

On a more personal note, my 2025 sustainability goal was to have a No Buy Year. I wanted to see how much over-consumption and material purchases I could cut from my life, thus preventing excess waste and emissions. The result? Well, I did still buy things. However, the way I thought about shopping changed. Thinking about it now, most of the things I bought this year were for practical reasons – items for my new flat, clothing for my new job and replacing items that I had used beyond repair. When I needed things, I tried to buy items that would last, were from quality sources and that I know I would use. For nice to have things, like books etc, I noted these down and added them to wish lists for my birthday and Christmas, so that those who wanted to send gifts could choose something that I wanted and would use. I finally got myself a swimming wetsuit, which I purchased second hand and fixed up the slightly broken parts, and has been one of the best purchases of the year. So while I did still buy, it was in a more conscious way and very little was impulse driven. Going into 2026, I will keep this mindset up and look at borrowing, buying second hand and supporting local/independent businesses first whenever I’m looking to buy. 🛍️

Another key change for this year was using public transport for all of my holidays. In 2025 I was lucky enough to go a few trips, both abroad and at home, and I used the train for all of them. Having had a year of travelling much further by train I now feel much more comfortable and enjoy this way of travelling a lot more, and am looking to do more train trips next year. I have also taken many a day trip by bus this year, and seen places I hadn’t been able to before. All of this has meant that car travel is less of a significant mode of transport for me now, and going without is less of a limitation. I’m excited for more adventures by public transport next year. 🛤️

And finally, 2025 held significant change for me as I started my first role in sustainability. I have learnt a lot more measuring and reducing emissions and am looking forward to taking these skills into next year to expand the positive impact I can have and share with others. I also had my first piece of sustainability research published, and am excited to see how that progresses in the future. 🌍

So, 2026 huh? In a time where we are being increasingly polarised, silenced and it can feel very bleak, I want to go into the new year with the motivation to take on more active roles to stand up for our planet. Whether that’s joining volunteering days, becoming part of a local organisation or supporting political campaigns to secure strong legislation for our environment and collective futures, I want to make sure I’m being part of the solution. I will be continuing the No Buy mindset to enjoy the things I already have and be conscious with where I buy from. And work out what tasty veggie lunches I can make for the office.

What are your goals for 2026? What would you like to pledge to do for the planet next year? And do you have any good veggie lunch recipes you’d like to share? Please share in the comments below!

Finally, thank you for another year of your support of this blog – we have now been going for over 5 years! 😮 If you ever read, shared or have just found this space, thank for for being here. I’m excited for what 2026 might bring for the Ginger Leaf Living community. All that’s left to say is….. Happy New Year!