The Index reveals that when it comes to Net Zero, there continues to be widespread awareness but a limited understanding of the 2050 Net Zero target. When
In this year's research, the cost-of-living crisis and high energy prices have meant confidence has dropped slightly from 57.5 to 56.5 on a scale from 0 to 100. Most significantly, climate change is now seen as the fifth most important issue facing the country as it moves down from fourth last year. Despite this, over half (57%) of respondents say that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time.
The development of onshore wind, which has previously faced pockets of local opposition as well as a government ban on development, remains in line with last year's results. The research found that respondents were overwhelmingly receptive to the development with 79% supporting building more onshore wind, with just 7% saying they were opposed. Over four in five (88%) respondents supported building more solar power, 83% supported more offshore wind and, new nuclear remained the most controversial option, with only 48% supporting it.
Making changes in the home
Following on from last year, the public are more committed to tackling climate change, with 78% of respondents willing to make changes in their home. In fact, over the next two years, almost half (47%) of homeowners said they were willing to install improved insulation with over two fifths (41%) willing to add solar panels to their roof and 28% willing to install an electric vehicle 'fast charge' point.
This year, the Index revealed over one in four homeowners (28%) would be willing to install a heat pump. Attitudes to heat pumps vary substantially by age with 48% aged 18-24 willing to install a heat pump compared to just 15% of those aged 65 and over.
About half (51%) of people in the
40% of respondents said that they trust
The Index also revealed that energy price pressures are driving support for policies to build more low-carbon energy sources and better insulate people's homes. Just under half of respondents (48%) say higher energy prices made them more likely to look at 'installing energy efficiency products' such as heat pumps and solar panels in the next twelve months.
'A big part of that is ensuring we find the right solutions that can lower emissions whilst helping our customers make savings on their bills. We've been taking learnings from our customers and this research to meet this challenge and are committed to training our workforce to take our customers on the journey to decarbonise their homes.
'This year we've reassured customers with a best price heat pump offering that's guaranteed to heat your home as efficiently as a gas boiler and we launched a new suite of Net Zero services in solar, insulation, home energy efficiency and electric vehicle (EV) charging. We're also helping our customers save with PeakSave offering half price electricity at greener off-peak times with Summer Sundays.'
Climate concerns
As the discussion around climate change and anxiety continues to grow in intensity, the Index also looked at the awareness and understanding parents think their children have. Three in five (62%) parents (with children aged 5+) said their child knows 'a lot' or 'quite a lot' about climate change. And, when asked to rate their child's knowledge compared to their own, 30% reported that their child knew more than they did, with 38% saying their child knew as much as they did and just over a quarter (26%) saying their child knew less.
When asked which emotions respondents generally feel when reading about climate change, the top answers showed there was concern and a lack of control. The three highest emotions were 'worried' (45%), 'frustrated' (33%) and 'helpless' (26%).
Contact:
Tel: 01784 843000
Email: media@centrica.com
About the British Gas Net Zero Homes Index
The British Gas Net Zero Homes Index examines how
Public First surveyed 4,007 adults online in
About
(C) 2023 Electronic News Publishing, source