Individual action won’t save the climate – unless governments and businesses back it

Mindy Hernandez leads the Living Lab for Equitable Climate Action at the World Resources Institute. Common advice includes eating less beef, traveling less, buying secondhand, and monitoring your carbon footprint. The concept of a ‘personal carbon footprint’ was popularized by oil giant BP in 2004, shifting focus from the fossil fuel industry to individuals. New research shows that adopting 11 pro-climate behaviors could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, there’s a large gap between potential and achievable emission reductions without system-wide changes. Individual actions, along with policy and technological advancements, can lead to significant emission reductions. To maximize impact, focus should shift to systemic changes supporting sustainable choices for all. Prioritized climate-friendly actions include shifting to sustainable ground travel, reducing air travel, improving home energy efficiency, and eating more plant-based meals. These changes require system-level support to be effective at scale. It’s crucial to emphasize systemic change alongside individual action to address climate challenges effectively.