For many, 2020 has been a year of reflection and introspection. Between the isolation, anxiety, financial setbacks and cancelled plans, people have been forced to look closely at what they have, and re-evaluate what really matters. With less control over where we can go, who we can see, and what we can do, it’s become crucial to take stock of what power we do have, and how we can use it to do good. This is why making New Year’s resolutions is more important than ever.

New Year’s resolutions are often made and broken in a matter of weeks. Diets, daily exercise, savings, and sobriety fall to the wayside after the initial rush of New Year’s excitement. But this year seems to have awakened in many of us a hunger for personal growth.

During the first Covid lockdown people baked bread, learned to knit, studied new languages, and some even started their own businesses. In fact, in June 2020 almost 50% more businesses were created than in June 2019. And July saw a record-setting 81,000 businesses registered in the UK.

Is it worth making New Year’s resolutions?

Although most of the bread baking has stopped, the languages let go, the knitting tossed aside, it all proved the importance of resolutions. While we may not always keep them, they can provide momentum and hope, especially in times of uncertainty.

But there are resolutions that are important to keep because they affect everyone. At Monarch, we think one resolution every individual, home, and business should keep in the new year is to follow this advice from Sir David Attenborough:

“One thing we all have to do (…) is simply not to waste. Don’t waste plastic, don’t waste food, don’t waste power. Live within our means, without inflicting damage on our planet. That is a possibility, and that’s what we should all be aiming at.”

There are numerous potential reasons for the rise in support for sustainability and climate change action this year. Our vulnerability has been thrown into sharper focus by Covid-19. We’ve seen devastating wildfires that are the direct result of rising global temperatures, paired with a growing appreciation for our natural environment as many leave big cities for coastal and country living.

Whatever the reason, the growing consensus is things need to change, and we all need to be a part of it.

How can Monarch help you keep this resolution?

At Monarch, we pride ourselves on being sustainability simplifiers. We can streamline your energy and utility management by:

• Identifying areas of energy inefficiency>
• Installing and monitoring smart meters
• Optimising your waste efficiency
• Conducting a water audit
• Helping with your clean energy procurement and carbon reporting

We at Monarch are making a New Year’s resolution we intend to keep, and you should too. “Don’t waste plastic. Don’t waste food. Don’t waste power. Live within our means.” For organisations, this can be a difficult goal to reach, especially in a time of recovery, but Monarch can help. If you are interested in ushering in 2021 with a sustainable energy management plan to help your business recover and thrive in a post-Covid/Brexit economy, contact us at Monarch.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Monarch!