Spending back sustainably
Despite a backdrop of rising public concern about climate change and the environment there remain barriers to UK consumers making more sustainable choices.
Half of the UK (47%) say they would support the government adding a 'green tax' to environmentally damaging goods and two-thirds (65%) think the government should make it compulsory for all products to include labelling on their environmental impact.
However, when asked about the government's priorities for the next few years, investment to support reducing carbon emissions ranks lower than a number of other issues - including funding for the NHS, social care, housing and unemployment. Further, there is no majority opinion on whether dealing with climate change should be prioritised at the cost of the economy (40%), or if economic growth should be the focus at the expense of the environment (34%).
The key barriers to making greener choices are a feeling that the benefits of sustainable choices are not worth the costs associated with them - a finding reinforced by the fact that 72% of the public agree that sustainable products are too expensive for those on lower incomes. Another important barrier is a lack of confidence in knowing what the 'right' choice is: for instance, 49% say it is too difficult to choose a produce or service which represents the more environmentally-friendly choice and a similar proportion (51%) say it is too difficult to understand how damaging some products are for the environment.
Mike Clemence, a researcher at Ipsos said:
The data shows that while the public are broadly favourable towards making greener choices this does not always translate into action – primarily due to motivational factors, such as a feeling that the benefits gained from sustainable choices do not justify their cost. Additionally, we see that sustainability is competing with a wide range of other concerns people hold about the country and economy.
Technical note
Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 3,288 adults aged 16-75 living in the United Kingdom using its online access panel. Interviews were carried out between 27 and 31 August 2021. Data has been weighted with UK nations to the known offline population proportions for age, working status and social grade within gender, government office region and education. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.
