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As world leaders, climate scientists, campaigners and environmental organisations gather in Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31, the conversation about climate change needs to move beyond promises and towards practical action.

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place from 9–20 November 2026, is an opportunity to rethink how we live, work, travel, consume and protect the natural world.

But climate action shouldn’t be confined to conference halls, government announcements and international agreements. It belongs in our homes, communities, workplaces and everyday decisions.

On alisonlittle.blog, I’ve previously explored how small lifestyle changes can contribute to a greener future. Now, I’m revisiting those commitments and introducing ten updated environmental pledges inspired by the challenges and priorities of COP31.

As an artist and writer, I also recognise that I have a responsibility to use my platforms to promote more sustainable choices, challenge unnecessary consumption and give visibility to people and organisations making a positive difference.

Here are ten environmental pledges I’m making beyond COP31 – and inviting you to consider adopting too.

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1. Make reducing waste a daily priority

One of COP31’s important priorities is zero waste, including reducing food waste, encouraging circular economies and tackling methane emissions.

My commitment is to think more carefully about what I buy, what I use and what I throw away.

That means:

• Planning meals to avoid unnecessary food waste.
• Choosing products with less packaging.
• Reusing containers rather than continually buying disposable alternatives.
• Repairing household items instead of automatically replacing them.
• Recycling responsibly when reuse isn’t possible.

Convenience shouldn’t always come at the expense of the environment.

My pledge: Buy less, waste less and make better use of the resources I already have.

2. Champion ethical and genuinely sustainable brands

As a lifestyle blogger and digital content creator, I regularly feature products, businesses and organisations.

That gives me an opportunity – and a responsibility – to think about the environmental impact of the brands I promote.

I want to give greater visibility to businesses that demonstrate meaningful environmental responsibility, whether through recycled materials, responsible sourcing, reduced packaging, repair services or more sustainable production.

I also want to be more critical of greenwashing.

A green logo, a natural-looking product photograph or an environmental slogan doesn’t automatically make a business sustainable.

My pledge: Promote responsible businesses, ask questions about sustainability claims and be transparent about commercial and affiliate relationships.

3. Choose pre-loved, repairable and reusable fashion

Fashion is one of the areas where individual purchasing decisions can make a difference.

The constant pressure to buy new clothes, follow trends and replace perfectly wearable items creates unnecessary demand for resources.

I’m committing to making pre-loved fashion, clothing exchanges, repairs and upcycling a bigger part of my wardrobe.

I’ll continue exploring:

• Charity shops and vintage fashion.
• Second-hand online marketplaces.
• Clothing repairs and alterations.
• Creative upcycling.
• Brands offering repair or take-back schemes.

There is no reason that looking good should mean constantly buying new things.

My pledge: Make pre-loved my first choice and give clothing a longer life.

4. Reduce single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging

Plastic pollution is not simply an eyesore. It affects wildlife, marine ecosystems and the health of our natural environment.

Our oceans and seas are an important COP31 priority, with particular attention to marine ecosystems, coastal resilience and blue carbon.

I want to make more conscious choices about the plastics I bring into my home and the waste I generate when eating, drinking and shopping.

My commitments include:

• Carrying a reusable water bottle.
• Using reusable shopping bags.
• Avoiding unnecessary disposable cutlery and takeaway packaging.
• Choosing refillable products where practical.
• Supporting businesses that reduce excessive packaging.

I’ll also continue highlighting organisations and initiatives working to protect our waterways and coastlines.

My pledge: Reduce my reliance on single-use plastics and make reusable alternatives part of everyday life.

5. Make food choices more sustainable

Food production, transportation and waste all contribute to our environmental footprint.

COP31’s food security agenda highlights the importance of sustainable, resilient food systems and adapting agriculture to climate change.

My commitment is to pay greater attention to where food comes from, how it is produced and how much gets wasted.

I’ll aim to:

• Buy more seasonal and locally produced food.
• Support independent food businesses and local producers.
• Reduce unnecessary food waste.
• Explore more plant-based meals.
• Choose products with responsible sourcing credentials.

Sustainable food choices shouldn’t be about perfection. They should be about making better decisions more consistently.

My pledge: Eat more consciously, support responsible producers and waste less food.

6. Explore and protect the natural world

Walking, running and hiking are among my favourite ways to explore the world around me.

From Liverpool’s parks and green spaces to the hills, woodlands and coastal paths of the North West, spending time outdoors reminds me why protecting the environment matters.

Nature isn’t just somewhere to visit. It is something we depend upon.

I want to continue promoting outdoor activities while encouraging people to respect the places they explore.

That means:

• Taking litter home.
• Staying on appropriate paths.
• Respecting wildlife and habitats.
• Supporting local conservation initiatives.
• Choosing walking and cycling for shorter journeys where possible.

I’ll continue sharing walking routes, outdoor adventures and environmental stories that encourage people to connect with nature.

My pledge: Spend more time appreciating nature and do more to protect it.

7. Support local artists, makers and the circular economy

Sustainability isn’t just about what we buy. It’s also about who we support and how things are made.

Independent artists and makers can offer alternatives to mass-produced products, particularly when they work with reclaimed, recycled or locally sourced materials.

As an artist myself, I understand the value of creativity in changing how people think about the world.

I want to champion:

• Local artists and independent makers.
• Reclaimed and recycled materials.
• Upcycling and creative reuse.
• Community art projects.
• Exhibitions and initiatives exploring environmental issues.

Art can challenge, educate and inspire. It can also give discarded materials a completely new purpose.

My pledge: Use my creative platforms to celebrate sustainable design, local talent and environmentally conscious creativity.

8. Choose lower-carbon travel and explore closer to home

Travel opens up new experiences, cultures and perspectives, but it also has an environmental cost.

Whenever practical, I want to prioritise walking, cycling, public transport and lower-carbon travel options.

I’ll continue exploring destinations closer to home, particularly across Liverpool, Merseyside, the North West and the wider UK.

From coastal walks and countryside adventures to independent attractions and cultural destinations, there is plenty to discover without always travelling abroad.

When longer journeys are necessary, I’ll consider the transport options and environmental impact before booking.

My pledge: Travel more consciously, explore closer to home and avoid unnecessary journeys.

9. Reduce my digital environmental footprint

As someone working in digital marketing, photography, video production and online publishing, this is an area I particularly want to address.

Digital technology might appear environmentally invisible, but websites, cloud storage, data centres, streaming and artificial intelligence all require energy and infrastructure.

I want to be more conscious of my digital consumption.

My commitments include:

• Removing duplicate photographs and unnecessary files.
• Deleting unused cloud storage.
• Avoiding unnecessary high-resolution uploads.
• Optimising images and video for websites.
• Reviewing subscriptions and services I no longer use.
• Being more thoughtful about unnecessary AI-generated content.

Digital communication is an important part of modern life, but that doesn’t mean every file, photograph or video needs to be stored indefinitely.

My pledge: Create meaningful digital content, reduce unnecessary data storage and use technology more responsibly.

10. Turn environmental awareness into community action

Perhaps the most important pledge is not something I can achieve alone.

Climate change affects communities differently, but its consequences reach across borders, generations and social circumstances.

COP31 places considerable emphasis on implementation, cooperation, education and climate resilience.

I want to use alisonlittle.blog and my social media platforms to help make environmental issues accessible to a wider audience.

That means:

• Highlighting local environmental campaigns.
• Supporting community clean-ups and conservation projects.
• Sharing practical sustainability advice.
• Giving visibility to environmental organisations.
• Encouraging conversations about climate change.
• Promoting the work of people creating positive change.

I also want to recognise that environmental responsibility and social justice are closely connected. The communities contributing least to climate change can often be among those experiencing its most damaging consequences.

My pledge: Use my voice, creativity and digital platforms to encourage environmental awareness and meaningful community action.

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Beyond COP31: Small Commitments, Collective Change

International climate conferences are important, but their success should ultimately be judged by what happens afterwards.

COP31’s message is about moving from commitments to implementation. That principle applies just as much to our individual lives as it does to governments and businesses.

No single person can solve the climate crisis through reusable coffee cups, second-hand clothing or switching off unnecessary lights.

But individual choices matter when they become collective habits, influence businesses, shape public attitudes and encourage political action.

For me, these ten pledges are not about claiming to live a perfectly sustainable lifestyle. They’re about recognising where I can do better and using my work as an artist, writer and digital creator to encourage others to think differently.

The environment isn’t someone else’s responsibility. It’s something we all have a stake in protecting.

COP31 may end on 20 November, but our environmental commitments shouldn’t have an expiry date.

What environmental pledge would you make?

I’d love to hear your ideas.

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