When the problem is so large that it seems impossible to fix, it can be really hard to know where to start in order to make a difference. I felt like this when starting my eco-journey and, to be honest, still sometimes need a bit of direction from other people working hard to become more eco-friendly. That’s where Giki Zero comes in.

Giki (standing for ‘Get Informed, Know your Impact’) Zero is a UK based B Corp designed with the intention to help people reach their sustainability goals or figure out how they can start their journey to Net Zero. That’s a bit jargon heavy, I know. So lets break it down. In the simplest of terms, Giki Zero is a company that has met the high standards in areas of ‘social, environmental performance, transparency and accountability’, as defined by the ‘B Corp’ website. These standards have been set and are verified by ‘B Lab’ a non-profit aiming to get businesses on side and up to speed on building a greener planet. 

I’ve gotten off track a little, so let’s jump back to Giki Zero. I want to start off by noting that there are plenty of organisations out there that are doing similar things, but Giki Zero is what I’ve grown used to and their function works for me, but don’t feel like you can’t find your own starting point with a similar company. So, to start at the beginning, I first found Giki and its app through my employer, our ‘Go Green’ Champions spread the word through Champion networks and our organisations’ social sites. It was my first big step into realising the impact that I could actually have on this global journey that we’re all on. My eyes were officially opened and my desire to change and encourage change in others emerged. 

The Giki Zero website and app offer a really interesting array of suggested changes that range from small, cost-free actions, such as simply only heating rooms in your home that you use frequently, to very significant life changes that can seem daunting, including giving up your car entirely. I am almost certain that there is something for almost everyone for every occasion and season.

As for me, I’ve successfully taken steps like walking short journeys instead of driving, but I’m still working towards changes like transitioning to a completely meat free diet, and that’s absolutely okay. Afterall, we are all facing a huge transition period in the ways that we live our everyday lives. Many of us are having to replan their futures to fit into this new direction the world is moving in, and not every change can be done overnight. I do also have to admit how satisfying it is to see your overall carbon footprint shrink with each action you take and Giki makes you feel like every small change is worth celebrating. It definitely helps me keep up my momentum.

Now, Giki Zero’s format for recommending changes might not suit everyone – we all learn in different ways and may not take direct suggestions well, especially when it’s not clear how much effort or energy might be involved. If that’s you, don’t panic. In my own commitment to reducing waste and carbon emissions, I’m eager to try pretty much anything and everything and share my findings. So, take a moment to have a flick through the things I’ve tried so far and if any of the things I’ve written about here take your fancy, I’d encourage you to give them a try!

So why not take a look at what Giki Zero is suggesting. It’s free to access and could be the start of your Net Zero journey, just like it was for me!