Ethical Consumer

Ethical Consumer

Join thousands of others and become an ethical consumer today.

Join thousands of others and become an ethical consumer today.

Learn how to use your spending power to help change the world for the better.

Why be an ethical consumer? How to be an ethical consumer

We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative with open membership.

At the heart of the ethical consumer movement, since 1989.

We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative with open membership, based in Manchester.

We provide all the tools and resources you need to make choices at the checkout simple, informed and effective.

Discover more about us

Includes guides to: Electricity & Gas Suppliers, Heat Pumps, Boilers, Solar PV Panels

The latest magazine includes guides rating:

  • Electricity & gas suppliers
  • Heat Pumps
  • Boilers
  • Solar Panels

Plus:

  • score tables rating and comparing the brands
  • Best Buy recommendations
  • which are the best green tariffs?
  • which 100% renewable energy supplier is really producing or buying renewable electricity?
  • how to support community renewable energy
  • who's supporting vulnerable customers in the cost of living crisis?
  • the most ethical heat pump brands
  • boilers, energy-saving and ethics
  • is there such a thing as an ethical solar panel?
  • the campaigns for reducing home heating emissions

Feature article on:

  • carbon offsets - should we be offsetting, and if so, which are the best projects?

Issue 201 (March/April 2023) now in print and online.

Read the latest issue 

  • Ethical Energy Suppliers

    Electricity
    We investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 18 electricity and gas suppliers. We look at the fuels that generate a supplier's electricity, green tariffs, renewable generation, biogas, greenwashing, energy prices and fuel poverty, community energy, and give our recommended buys.
    Read more

More from Ethical Consumer

Ethical Current Accounts

Ethical Bank Accounts

Finding an ethical bank account. Rating the ethical and environmental record of 31 UK current accounts, with recommended buys and who to avoid.  We also look at app-based banking, which banks own which brands, fossil fuel investments, tax avoidance, unequal pay, and how to switch accounts. 

Read more
savings accounts

Ethical Savings Accounts

Finding the most ethical savings account, with ethical and environmental ratings for 50 savings brands and Best Buy recommendations. We explore non-bank options including building societies and credit unions, look at high street banks and their lending practices, along with executive pay and tax avoidance. 

Read more
Person with finger on a small globe which is on a passport

Travel booking companies

Finding an ethical and sustainable travel booking company. Full rankings for 29 travel companies. We look at the carbon impact of flying and alternatives, accommodation eco-labels, the impact of holiday homes (including Airbnb), alternative sustainable holiday options, shine a spotlight on TUI and make Best Buy recommendations.

Read more
Image: Tea

Tea

Finding an ethical and eco-friendly sustainable tea. Ranking the ethical and environmental record of 45 tea brands. We look at fairtrade and organic certification schemes, workers' rights, plastic in teabags, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Tata (Tetley and Teapigs) and give our recommended buys.

Read more
Image: chocolate

Ethical Chocolate

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 109 brands of bars of chocolate, chocolate snacks and gift chocolates. We also look at vegan and fair trade chocolate, palm oil and deforestation, child labour, cocoa certification, and give our Best Buys advice.

Read more
Image: orangutans

Palm Oil

Consumers increasingly want to avoid palm oil where possible, but it's a tricky task as it's used in so many products - more than 50% of packaged supermarket products from margarine and oven chips to soaps and detergents.

Read more