The GOOD Shopping Guide ads

What did the Autumn Budget mean for sustainable businesses? 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘖𝘖𝘋 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 The UK government has unveiled its 2025 Budget, introducing measures that could reshape the landscape for sustainable businesses. Alongside wider tax reforms, there are steps that may support green energy, clean-tech and SMEs. For companies built on ethical values, the Budget suggests growing encouragement for clean investment, operational relief in select sectors, and incentives for environmentally responsible growth. Is it bad news for EVs? A new 3p-per-mile charge for certain EVs will sit alongside existing duties. While presented as fairer taxation, critics say it penalises drivers who followed guidance to go electric. Unequal charging costs — from home to public points — mean some EV owners could pay more per mile than petrol or diesel drivers, so sustainable businesses will need to adjust their planning accordingly. Is the online trade tax good or bad? The government is consulting on ending the de minimis loophole, exempting imports under £135 from duties. Due by March 2029, this would bring platforms like Shein and Temu closer to the rules faced by High Street retailers. The aim is to support fairer competition and stop online giants from undercutting local stores. As our 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 shows, brands like Shein are linked to human rights issues, poor conditions and pollution. Reducing financial incentives to buy from them benefits ethical businesses and reflects rising demand for accountability. What is the government’s message on clean energy? The Budget sends mixed signals. The Windfall Tax remains until 2030, limiting fossil fuel expansion, but household energy bills may only fall slightly. Cutting some green levies lowers costs but risks slowing renewable investment. For sustainable businesses, the takeaway is clear: progress still depends on prioritising clean energy over short-term savings. At The GOOD Shopping Guide, we’ve spent more than 25 years helping consumers and businesses navigate these shifts with clarity and credibility. In moments like this — when global politics falters — transparent, truly ethical companies stand out. Our Ethical Accreditation supports UK businesses, proving that sustainability is not a slogan but a strategy for resilience and long-term success. To learn how Ethical Accreditation can strengthen your business, contact Annabel Wetton.

Trusted insights for ethical brand leadership. We’ve just published a short reel for our readers spotlighting: 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥? For businesses, this is a snapshot of how we distil our research findings into accessible content that builds audience trust. 🔗 View the full 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: https://buff.ly/GTdcgz4 ________________________________________________________________________________ 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 The GOOD Shopping Guide 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.

The GOOD Shopping Guide has just published an article exploring how our readers can enjoy the festive season without compromising on sustainability. From ethical gifting ideas to energy-saving tips, we highlight practical ways to reduce waste and make more responsible choices. At The GOOD Shopping Guide, we continue to provide content that resonates with ethically-minded audiences and shapes conversations around accountability and impact. If your brand demonstrates strong ethical and sustainability credentials, we invite you to connect with us to discover how The GOOD Shopping Guide can amplify your message among our influential readership and strengthen your presence in the ethical marketplace. Contact Annabel Wetton to find out more. https://buff.ly/TeCeyW1

COP30’s turbulent outcome: what it means for sustainable business in the UK 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘖𝘖𝘋 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 The conclusion of COP30 in Brazil has left the global climate community more divided than at any point in the last decade, with significant implications for UK sustainable businesses. With no collective agreement on phasing out fossil fuels & an increasingly fractured negotiating landscape, the summit revealed just how challenging global climate cooperation has become. For UK companies committed to ethical, low-carbon growth, this moment is both a warning & an opportunity. Despite widespread advocacy from the UK & other nations for a clear roadmap away from coal, oil and gas, COP30 ended without any such commitment. Political rifts between major fossil-fuel-producing countries & nations pushing for ambitious climate action shaped every stage of the talks. The collapse of consensus forced Brazil to introduce off-agenda “roadmaps” with uncertain legal standing - an outcome that underscores how fragile global cooperation has become. Yet amid the turbulence, businesses focused on sustainability can draw three important lessons: 1. Global uncertainty makes ethical leadership more valuable With the UN process struggling to deliver fossil-fuel commitments, the private sector’s role becomes even more crucial. UK companies already leading on renewable energy, circular production & low-carbon innovation will increasingly shape public expectation & policy direction in the absence of decisive international action. 2. Carbon-intensive supply chains face growing trade pressures Trade emerged as a headline issue at COP30. With the EU preparing border taxes on high-carbon goods, sustainable UK businesses - especially those in manufacturing, materials & consumer goods - stand to benefit from their lower-carbon footprints. Firms that have invested early in clean processes will become more competitive in markets where carbon pricing is tightening. 3. Quiet players may shape the future more than outspoken ones China’s subdued but commercially driven presence at COP30 shows that global climate action is increasingly defined by economics, not rhetoric. The world’s fastest-growing markets are scaling clean energy because it is profitable. UK businesses that innovate in solar, electrification, storage & efficiency will be aligned with where global investment is heading - regardless of political turbulence. At The GOOD Shopping Guide, we’ve spent 25 years helping consumers & businesses navigate these shifts with clarity and credibility. In moments like this - when global politics falters - transparent, ethical companies stand out. Our Ethical Accreditation supports UK businesses, proving that sustainability is not a slogan but a strategy for resilience and long-term success. To learn how Ethical Accreditation can strengthen your brand in a fast-changing climate landscape, contact Annabel Wetton

Which Vacuum Cleaner brands will reach our Ethical Benchmark? For a long time, the vacuum cleaner market was defined by power, performance and convenience. But over the past few years, something far more interesting has been happening. Sustainability, transparency and responsible design are no longer just a thought; they’re becoming central to how consumers choose their appliances and how manufacturers plan for the future. One of the most noticeable changes is the growing demand for longevity. People are becoming increasingly frustrated with products that aren’t built to last, and the rise of the Right-to-Repair legislation across Europe has only strengthened that expectation. Many consumers now actively look for vacuums they can repair, not replace, and this shift is reshaping how forward-thinking companies design their products. Energy efficiency and production impact are also climbing up the priority list. With rising energy prices and mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, manufacturers are reassessing how their products are manufactured and the energy consumption associated with their lifecycle. Cleaner, leaner production processes are becoming essential to staying competitive. At the same time, transparency has become a key differentiator. Consumers want to know where materials come from, who made the product and what happens when it reaches the end of its life. Brands that can answer these questions honestly, and back their claims with evidence, are standing out in an increasingly crowded market. And this is exactly why our 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is becoming so important. With sustainability claims everywhere, consumers and retailers alike are becoming more sceptical. Businesses now need credible, third-party verification to show they’re genuinely committed to responsible practices. Independent accreditation provides that trust, and helps companies demonstrate their progress clearly and confidently. By 2026, the leaders in the vacuum cleaner sector will be the brands that invested early in higher ethical standards, more sustainable materials and transparent operations. The shift is already happening, and it’s opening up a huge opportunity for companies ready to lead rather than follow. If your business is looking to stand out in a quickly evolving market, The GOOD Shopping Guide Ethical Accreditation offers a powerful way to show you’re serious about the future. Get in touch with Annabel Wetton to find out more. The updated 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 table is on its way. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive an update as soon as it’s published: https://buff.ly/47bEaOQ

Smelling Fresh Shouldn’t Cost the Earth. Which Deodorants are doing 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃? A Market in Transition: Our New Table Launching Early 2026 The deodorant market has undergone a quiet revolution. Once defined by big multinational brands, synthetic formulations, and plastic-heavy packaging, today the sector is increasingly shaped by natural ingredients, ethical sourcing, and innovative low-waste solutions. Eco-minded consumers are asking better questions and demanding more ethical and healthy options. As a result, deodorant has become one of the fastest-changing and most ethically dynamic categories within personal care. Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants frequently contain aluminium compounds, petrochemical-derived ingredients, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that raise environmental or health concerns. Aerosol formats also contribute to unnecessary waste and energy use. But the landscape is shifting. A new wave of ethical brands has emerged, reshaping expectations. At The GOOD Shopping Guide, we are currently preparing a brand new Deodorant Brands Ethical Comparison Ratings Table, set to launch in early 2026. This research will highlight: * Which brands truly meet high ethical standards * Which companies are innovating in sustainability * Which mainstream players need to improve * How the sector is shifting in response to conscious consumers This will be a highly anticipated addition to our ratings, given the demand we’re seeing from readers who want transparency and clarity in this important market. Are You a Deodorant Brand? Get Ahead of the Competition. Ahead of the launch, we are inviting brands, big and small, to reach out now if they would like to be included, assessed, or considered for Ethical Accreditation. Early engagement ensures: * Your full assessment * Inclusion in the launch * The opportunity to share sustainability updates or innovations * Visibility to our large and highly values-driven audience If your brand is working hard to improve ingredients, packaging, sourcing, or wider ESG policies, we’d love to hear from you - send us a message or email: [email protected] _________________________________________________________________________________ For 25 years, The GOOD Shopping Guide has been the trusted authority on ethical and sustainability ratings. Our comparison tables have been used by millions to compare brand scores on all sustainability, animal welfare and fair trade issues. Our Ethical Accreditation system formally endorses those brands that reach our ethical benchmark standard. This is held as a badge of honour by 150+ companies, including Octopus Energy, Green People and Aviva. This makes complex ethical choices easy for consumers, employees and businesses. For a Free Initial Assessment or more information about how your brand can qualify for Ethical Accreditation, contact Annabel Wetton.