A staggering 75%* of UK respondents think that while individual actions have some impact, the most significant changes must come from large-scale actions made by corporations and governments.
The UK public is therefore placing more of the responsibility to tackle climate change into the hands of large organisations, rather than their own.
Are governments doing enough?
This year’s COP29 ended with a controversial agreement that will see richer nations pay about £238.5 billion a year to help poorer regions fight climate change.
However, this is a long way short of the $1.3 trillion that some had called for, and even less than the $500 billion that had been cited as the bare minimum developing countries would accept.
This unwillingness to offer financial support to areas that are more vulnerable to climate change, could be a cause for concern for both people living in these regions, and for the state of the environment itself.
Can individuals make a difference?
Just 12% of respondents believe individual actions alone can make a significant difference, highlighting a skepticism about the influence personal actions can have without systemic change.
Personal choices such as reducing energy consumption or adopting sustainable diets, can contribute to the fight against climate change, but these efforts should be complemented by substantial corporate and governmental initiatives.
What individuals aren’t willing to do:
- Cut meat and dairy products out of your diet completely (61%)
- Pay significantly more for meat and dairy products (56%)
- Pay an extra fee for flights to offset the environmental impact (39%)
61% of respondents aren’t willing to cut meat and dairy products out of their diets completely, despite years of growing popularity of veganism. This eco-friendly dietary choice is what respondents are least willing to do to help the planet.
The data also reveals a generational divide, with 68% of Boomers not willing to cut meat and dairy products out of their diets compared to 54% of Gen Z’s.
Editor of The Eco Experts, Roland Ellison, comments: “The government has a responsibility to make greener living more affordable for UK residents, and should be communicating simple and practical information about what consumers can do to help reduce carbon emissions in their own homes. These measures will save them money and reduce our carbon emissions in the long run.
Our survey found that the main motivation for consumers to invest in low-carbon technology is economic. This is far more persuasive than moral motivations around the environment, particularly when public concern over climate change seems to have taken more of a back seat to more immediate financial pressures and geopolitical tensions.
Governments across the globe must work together to mitigate the effects of climate change. This means broad policy changes that will give consumers and businesses the confidence to invest in low-carbon technology, as it is in all of our existential and economic interests”.
