Live Net Zero 101

What Is Sustainable Living?

Sustainable living means meeting our needs in ways that minimise our impact on the environment and support fairness, while improving our quality of life.

We need both individual and systems changes – they’re connected!

Each of us is a key player. We inspire each other. When enough people make changes in our everyday lives in high-impact areas, our actions add up!

But it has to be a society-wide effort. We need support from our governments, businesses and communities to live sustainably. We can’t place the burden only on individuals. Many of our choices are shaped by where we live and what is available.

Your choices matter, and they are possible when backed by supportive systems. Big policy shifts often start with public pressure. When everyday actions and government and business leadership align, that’s when real transformation happens.

When we see real examples of people living low-carbon lives, it helps shift social norms and encourages others to do the same. These visible changes create momentum and can unlock the system-wide shifts we need. 

Lifestyle change is not only about how we eat, live, consume or travel. It also includes talking about climate with others, volunteering, voting, investing, and supporting change in our communities. 

As more people take part, our actions become mainstream. We place pressure on governments and businesses to step up and give them permission to be bold and ambitious. Lifestyle change creates the social mandate that makes system change possible.

Principle 1: Live within ecological limits

Use resources wisely and stay within planetary boundaries.  Living sustainably means focusing on the areas that matter most. Some everyday actions – like turning off lights or recycling – are helpful but are low impact.

To really shift our environmental footprint, we need big impact actions such as:

• Insulating our homes and reducing energy waste
• Driving and flying less, and choosing cleaner transport
• Eating more plant-based foods and wasting less food
• Buying less, repairing, sharing and reusing more of our stuff

Principle 2: Ensure fairness

Sustainable living must be fair, between people, generations and communities. While some people already live within one-planet means – often by necessity – others consume far more than their share. A just approach recognizes both sides.

• The wealthiest 10% of the global population are responsible for nearly half of lifestyle-related emissions.
• In Canada, higher-income households tend to have the largest footprints – and also the most capacity and responsibility to reduce them.
• At the same time, many Canadians face barriers to accessing affordable, sustainable options.

That’s why Live Net Zero is open to all Canadians, and why the challenge welcomes a wide range of stories – across income levels, household types, and regions. 

As a participant, you are encouraged to share not only what you’re doing, but also the real-life barriers you face and the creative ways you’re working to overcome them and asking for societal support.

Principle 3: Focus on well-being

Sustainable living is ultimately about building good, healthy, connected lives, not just cutting emissions.

Good news! We don’t need to live high-emitting lifestyles in order to be happy. Happiness and wellbeing are linked to health, social connection, a sense of belonging and trust, education, security and purpose. It does not always feel easy. Some changes take time and effort.

But participants in the Live Net Zero Challenge say it’s worth it – the journey helps them feel more connected, less stressed, and more in control of their future. 

Principle 4: Take advantage of big life changes

Your life is not static – it changes and your footprint does too. You can harness timely moments – such as becoming a parent, moving, retiring, starting a new job – to accelerate low impact ways of living. 

As you go through life changes, your habits and context are in flux. What a key opportunity to choose differently and to get support to live sustainably! 

You can rethink your aspirations, look to your peers for inspiration and assistance, tap into support from governments, businesses, your community, and set yourself up to live net zero.