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A new index released by British Gas will track each year how UK families feel about the journey to net zero, their role in it and readiness to make changes to their homes and lifestyles.
The index reveals that although there is widespread awareness of net zero, understanding is limited. When net zero was explained, 71% of the public agreed that it was the right thing to do. On average, people believe that the UK will reach Net Zero closer to 2075 rather than 2050.
According to the results, climate change is ranked as the fourth most important issue facing the country – with younger people more willing to act and more willing to pay for measures that cut household emissions. Climate change is considered more important by the public than immigration, taxation, housing or Brexit. But unsurprisingly, fears over the cost of living have risen to make this the dominant priority for the British public.
Andrew Middleton, Managing Director of British Gas Net Zero, said:
The research also showed concerns about the gaps in government policy to deliver on the Net Zero target, with over half (54%) saying they were not confident that the government would cut emissions sufficiently by 2050. In fact, one in five (19%) respondents were so pessimistic they thought that the UK would never achieve Net Zero. More than half of respondents (51%) said higher energy prices made them more likely to look at “installing energy efficiency products” in the next 12 months.
Lifestyle changes for net zero
There was a recognition of the need for changes to be made at home, with more than three quarters (78%) saying they were willing to make changes in their own homes to help tackle climate change. Among homeowners, almost half (48%) said they were willing to install improved insulation in the next two years and 42% said they’d be willing to install solar panels.
Electric vehicles also saw some support from consumers with 35% willing to install a home charger to power an EV – support was stronger in built up areas such as London.
The data shows that there is more uncertainty about low carbon heating. When asked what they would replace their existing boiler with, 37% said a similar gas or oil-fired boiler and only 14% said they’d choose a heat pump. The majority of responses (38%) said they didn’t know what they would choose.
Despite the fact that one in five (20%) believe that there is nothing the UK could do to stop climate change, the UK has made good progress in recent years to reduce emissions and turn to more renewable energy sources. 87% of the public said they supported building more solar power, 84% supported more offshore wind and 81% supported building more onshore wind. New nuclear was more controversial with 48% support.
The full report is available to download here: centrica.com/sustainability/the-british-gas-net-zero-homes-index/
