Brits take Government lead on living a greener lifestyle

by ClickGreen staff. Published Tue 14 Jun 2011 18:39

Survey shows Brits more likely to recycle

Britons believe they are reliant on governments to tell them how to live a greener lifestyle, according to research commissioned by Logica.

Only 22 percent of individuals feel its is their responsibility to deliver a sustainable future with only 14 percent believing it is the role of commercial organisations.

Individuals want more guidance on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle - with 18 percent of respondents saying they have no idea what changes they need to make. Saving money was cited as a key reason for adopting green initiatives, with most respondents wanting to save at least 10 percent on their energy expenditure a day.

Although the findings suggest that individuals are not receiving enough support to become more energy efficient, a large number have already reduced their energy use, as the study found:

* 62 percent of respondents have started turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby,

* 56 per cent started recycling

* 52 percent started washing clothes at a lower temperature in the last year.

The public is even willing to put their money where their mouths are. Forty-four percent of respondents said they would invest in better insulation and 43 percent said they would invest in home energy monitors and solar power.

A quarter of respondents were also keen to have an electric vehicle in the next five years, as long as the inducements were appealing.

Craig Boundy, UK CEO, Logica, said: “Individuals may think what they can change is insignificant, but if millions of people make some small changes to their lifestyle, the cumulative impact could be huge.

“We need to dispel the public’s perception that living a green lifestyle is expensive and time consuming. Clearly individuals are willing to make big changes to their lifestyles like driving an electric car and investing in solar power, but the right incentives need to be in place.

“Business and the Government need to take the first steps in ensuring they are offering consumers the right conditions in which going green is a realistic option for everyone.”