Green Gifts That Keeps On Giving

Green Gifts That Keeps On Giving

By Yisih Chai 21 December, 2023

Ready for a greener holiday? CWR's Chai shares five environmentally friendly gifts that keep on giving - think experiences, donating, renewables & more

With the festive season upon us, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun and festivities but it’s also a time to reflect on our choices, especially when it comes to gift-giving. The shopping, travel and decorations over the three days of Christmas can produce as much as 650 kg of CO2 per person, which accounts for nearly 6% of our yearly CO2 emissions!

Festivities over the 3 Christmas days emit a hefty 650 kg of CO2 per person – that’s nearly 6% of annual emissions!

But the good news is that you don’t have to stop giving “gifts”, just make some changes to the gifts – make them ones that are less harmful to water, carbon & the environment and that actually can have a positive contribution. With a still somewhat disappointing COP28, we need to take all the action we can. So, let’s spread holiday cheer in a green and sustainable way with gifts that make both the environment and your loved ones happy. Below are five ways to give “gifts that keep on giving”.

1. The gift of donating $

Donating/ “gifting” money is not new but it is desperately needed, especially for environmental causes.

Environmental philanthropy in Asia lags behind other sectors, just 1% in China…

While philanthropy towards the environment in Asia is growing, a report shows it still takes a backseat when compared to other developmental sectors like healthcare, education, and livelihoods. And in China this was just 1%, representing a fraction of the total foundation expenditure from 2017 to 2018. And on top of that, Christmas is a key time for fundraising. Non-profits can raise between 17 – 31% of their online revenue in December.

…let’s make a change, December is when 17-31% of NPOs’ online revenue are raised

Donations these days are more exciting. There are plenty of interesting, effective and personalizable options like combating climate change on the ground, promoting key research, conserving vital eco-systems and much more. Make sure to choose a legitimate organisation and consider local options. And remember, in the world of donations, every dollar counts so no pressure to go big, small donations matter too.

2. The gift of time

In our modern world, time is highly valued and when it comes to giving it, it’s often substituted by financial means but organisations need you and your time. There are numerous platforms that offer a diverse range of volunteering opportunities, from environmental conservation to education and healthcare.

For instance, in Singapore, there is the Clean & Green Singapore’s NEA Volunteer Corps. You could also consider interning or conducting research for a cause you’re passionate about. This not only benefits the organization but also provides you with valuable experience and knowledge.

So, this Christmas for a unique gift, why not sign yourself and your friends up for a beach clean-up or organize a recycling drive? Not only will it be a fun day out but it’s also a chance to bond, create lasting memories, increase awareness and make a positive impact on our planet. Besides, the holiday season contributes significantly to waste. When you hit the “buy” button, the real cost isn’t just the price tag. Consider this: China’s express delivery industry used over 8.8 million tons of packaging materials just in 2018 alone. That’s a hidden price behind each of your ‘click.’ Doesn’t this just makes such activities even more meaningful and important?

3. The gift of clean energy – solar installations, EV subscriptions and more

Asia is abuzz with clean energy initiatives. Southeast Asian countries have targets to cut 75% of their energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050. So, why not give the gift of joining the green revolution? There are many options here like solar installations, green power plans and EVs; remember a gift can also be for yourself/ your family.

 Asia is abuzz with clean energy initiatives…

…Southeast Asian countries target 75% CO2 cut by 2050! Join the fun: gift clean energy

On the solar front, there are several companies with rent-to-own models allowing customers to start saving on their energy bills from the start. This would be a gift that keeps on giving, as solar panels are designed to last for around 30 years or more, providing a consistent source of renewable energy.

Then for green power plans & subscriptions, renewable & clean energy providers are the place to go with various offers from providing a 1% or 100% solar energy plan (done by Sunseap in Singapore) while others have carbon-neutral add-on concepts for its existing customers (done by Geneco in Singapore).

When thinking EVs, it doesn’t just mean buying an electric car, that’s an option but one can also gift subscriptions to EV rental services such as government-partnered BlueSG in Singapore – you only pay for the distance or duration you drive. Though, one needs to remember that the energy type you are charging your EV impacts how green it is. And in Singapore, around 95% of electricity is generated from natural gas, which is a fossil fuel. But the Land Transport Authority says EVs are still more sustainable as they produce only half the emissions of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

4. The gift of offsetting travels

Before you travel, have a think, is it necessary? If so, offset the impacts for yourself, your family, your friends – all your travel buddies.  Even though carbon offsets are not a perfect solution, they are a place to start. You can engage with the airlines or other carbon offset providers, just do your homework.

Offsetting a 1 way flight from SG to KL which emits ~24kg of CO2 costs SG$31 cents – that’s less than buying half a cup of Kopitiam coffee!

For instance, offsetting the carbon emissions of a one-way trip between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur with Singapore Airlines, which emits around 24kg of CO2, costs just SGD 31 cents. This is less than half the price of a cup of coffee at a local kopitiam. Clearly affordable but also part of the issue why many offset projects are not robust enough.

Still, carbon offsets can be a practical short-term way to lessen the impact of activities, especially in sectors like aviation where there are currently no low-carbon alternatives for long-distance travel.

5. The gift of eco-gifts

And lastly of course there are the more traditional gifts but even with these, your choices matter, a lot! There are second-hand shops, eco-shops and more – just make sure they are valid, there’s a lot of greenwashing out there these days.

Beyond the gifts, stay in the know & make your everyday decisions more sustainable…

…let’s deck the halls, not landfills!

As we’ve written about in previous years your choices on food, clothes, crackers, shopping, streaming … they all matter! So read up on them to get informed. Plus, check out our articles this Christmas on how making smarter choices can help end oil and get inspired with our follow-up interview with CWR Ex-intern Picazo on the successful Carbon Canteen initiative she launched at her school in Hong Kong. Let’s deck the halls, not landfills!

Further Readings

• High Flying Carbon Emissions – Rethink Your Next Trip – With no real alternatives to decarbonise, aviation is and will remain carbon intensive. CWR’s Xu makes the case to not just pile back into planes but adjust our flying habits for the better of the climate
• Tis The Season To Be Worried: Our Online Habits – Did you know your social media and streaming are exacerbating the climate crises? CWR’s intern Lam shines a light on how we need to change our online habits & cultivate a sustainable digital lifestyle
• Fast & Furious: Online Shopping’s Toxic Ways – It’s so easy to hit that ‘buy’ button, especially with it being the second year of the pandemic but CWR’s Park reminds us why we need to re-think doing that with hidden toxic costs
• Fashion Made it on Santa’s Naughty & Nice Lists This Year – Get on top of the fashion headlines making the Naughty and Nice lists this Christmas with CWR’s McGregor. Which is Zara on? How about Shein? And what about a new next gen fibre initiative?
• An X-mas Feast in 2050 – It’s 2050 today & for CWR Sophie Lam’s Xmas dinner she’s buying lab-grown turkey from City Super & hydroponic sprouts. She takes a trip down memory lane to show us how HK got here…

More on Latest

• COP28: 5 Firsts & Buts – Despite being dubbed the “oil COP” it achieved some key firsts, including the first-ever agreement for countries but all these came with “buts”. Check out our five reasons why despite the movement forward, we feel it’s not concrete nor urgent enough
• Catching Up with CWR’s Ex Intern Isabel Picazo on her Carbon Canteen Initiative – It’s been 9 months since Carbon Canteen completed its trial period so, we catch up with Picazo to find out how it went, what the challenges have been & what’s next
• Ending Oil By Making Smarter Choices – Did you know oil lurks in 95% of our everyday products? Maybe that’s why we can’t end oil… CWR’s Lam unveils where oil is hiding & how you can make smarter choices