British Attitudes to Environment / Climate Change / Future-energy-choices

British Attitudes to the Environment, Climate Change and Future Energy Choices

Summer 2010

Contents

Does the environment matter?

Climate change: believers or sceptics?

Impacts of climate change

Pro-environmental behaviour and actions

Attitudes towards energy choices; renewables and nuclear

Consumers, corporate responsibility and the environment


Compared to other ‘big ticket’ public issues, the environment is consistently rated of relatively low national importance.

There are no notable longer-term correlations with factors such as the economy, though severe weather, publications of key targets/reports and high profile episodes have some impact on public priorities.

There is a strong sense amongst the public that the environment is an issue for the future; over half think there will be a lot more concern for the environment over the next 20 years. The key challenge continues to be how to most effectively transform thislatent concern into more immediate action.


6529

2621

1916

1287

5

Only a minority of the public prioritise the environment as the most important national issue

Base: 990 British adults 18+, 4th – 10th June 2010

What would you say is the most important issue facing Britain today? What do you see as other important issues facing Britain today?

Unemployment

Economy

Crime/law and order

Inflation/prices

Education/Schools

Top mentions %

NHS

Race relations/immigration

Change since May-6

-9

-7

+1

-3

+2

Defence/Foreign Affairs/Terrorism

Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index

-1

+6

-1

Drug abuse

Pollution/ Environment 0

JUNE 2010Spontaneous,

unprompted mentions

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

May1997

May1998

May1999

May2000

May2001

May2002

May2003

May2004

May2005

May2006

May2007

May2008

May2009

May2010

No notable correlations with other key public concerns (including the economy)

Crime/ Law & Order

Race/ immigration

Economy

Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index

What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?

Unemployment

Base: c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month

Environment

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Foot and Mouth/Farming

GM foods

Environment/Pollution

Particular crises have had short-term impacts on opinion but overall trend fairly stable

Year

0

4

8

12

16

20

May1997

May1998

May1999

May2000

May2001

May2002

May2003

May2004

May2005

May2006

May2007

May2008

May2009

May2010

In recent years concern peaked in late 2006

Cameron’s “Vote Blue, go Green”

campaign at 2006 local elections

9/11 London Bombs

Buncefield Oil Depot fire – toxic cloud reaches northern Spain

Wettest Autumn since records began – widespread flooding

across the UK

EC proposes carbon emission

cuts of 20% by 2020

Brown becomes

PM

Stern report

What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?Cameron becomes

PM

Source: Ipsos MORI Issues IndexBase: c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month

48%

42%

31%

28%

21%

19%

19%

17%

16%

13%

54%

50%

20%

12%

18%

15%

17%

19%

21%

32%

Climate change is typically a secondary issue facing individuals and families

Base: Online survey, 1043 British adults aged 16-64, January 2010; 1000 British adults aged 16-64, January 2009

Financial insecurity/making ends meet

Economic downturn*

Unemployment

Higher taxes

NHS/Healthcare Provision**

Crime

Immigration

Global warming/climate change***

Pension CrisisSchools/education

2010 2009

What would you say are the 3 biggest issues facing you/your family today?

Source: Ipsos MORI / Euro RSG

*In 2009 respondents were asked about the ‘economic downturn/economic situation’. ** In 2009 respondents were asked about ‘NHS/Healthcare Provision/(family) health’.***In 2009 respondents were asked about ‘Global warming/climate change/the weather’.

Prompted list of issues

55%

32%

3%

2%

8%

It remains an important ‘future’ priority for many

Base: Online survey, 1043 British adults 16-64, February 2010

There will be a lot more concern for the environment

There will be a bit more concern for the environment

There will be a bit less concern for the environment

There will be a lot less concern for the environment

Don’t know

Looking to the future, how do you think concern for the environment will develop over the next twenty years?

Source: Ipsos MOR/ Euro RSG



Concern about climate change remains high, although it has fallen in recent years.

An increase in scepticism about climate change likely reflects publicity around the UEA emails, the outcome of Copenhagen and the big freeze in 2009/10.

Many are not convinced that climate change results from human activity. This is significant; people are far more likely to act if they are convinced of anthropogenic climate change.

There is also much distrust around politicians’ motives when discussing climate change and perceived scaremongering.

44

30

28

38

47

43

12

14

19

3

9

8

3

2

Concern around climate change remains relatively high, although lower than in 2005

2005

2008

2010

How concerned, if at all, are you about climate change, sometimes referred to as ‘global warming’?

Source: 2010 and 2005: Cardiff University / Ipsos MORI Source: 2008 Ipsos MORI

Base: 1,822 British adults, aged 15 and over, 6th January-26th March 2010; 1,039 British adults, aged 16 and over, 23rd – 29th May 2008;1,491 British adults, aged 15 and over, 1st October – 6th November 2005

% Not at all concerned% Not very concerned% Fairly concerned% Very concerned% Don't know/No opinion

Almost all believe in climate change to some extent, though fewer are now convinced

% Don’t know

% It’s looking like it could be a reality% It’s definitely a reality % I think it’s a bit overexaggerated

% It’s not a reality at all


To what extent do you believe that climate change/global warming is a reality?*


*In 2009 respondents were asked ‘To what degree do you believe that climate change is a reality?’

44

29

3

22

22009

73

31

29

6 3

31

2010

60

And whilst the majority believe the world’s climate is changing, scepticism is on the rise

2010

15%

6%

78%91%

4%5%

As far as you know, do you personally think the world’s climate is changing or not?

2005

Base: 1,822 British adults, aged 15 and over, 6th January-26th March 2010; 1,491 British adults, aged 15 and over, 1st October – 6th November 2005

Source: Cardiff University / Ipsos MORI

YesNo

Don’t know

YesNoDon’t know

6

12 28

22 12

15

35

28 14

24 1

3

Two in five feel it is exaggerated and most think its impacts are uncertain

Base: 1,822 British adults aged 15 and over, 6th January-26th March 2010

I am uncertain that climate change is really happening

The seriousness of climate change is exaggerated

% Strongly agree % Tend to agree % Neither / nor % Tend to disagree % Strongly disagree % Don't know / no opinion

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about climate change?


7%

24%

12%

6%

2%

3%

47%

Most are not convinced that climate change is mainly / entirely due to human activity

Base: 1,822 British adults, aged 15 and over, 6th January-26th March 2010

Climate change is partly caused by natural processes and partly caused by human activity

Climate change is mainly caused by human activity

Climate change is mainly caused by natural processes

Climate change is entirely caused by human activity

Climate change is entirely caused by natural processes

I think there is no such thing as climate change

Don’t know / no opinion

Thinking about the causes of climate change, which, if any, of the following best describes your opinion?


17

20

33

27

25

26

15

14

7

9

3

4

Half are sceptical of politicians’ motives when discussing climate change

Base: Online survey, 1043 British adults aged 16-64, February 2010

% Strongly agree % Tend to agree % Neither / nor% Tend to disagree % Strongly disagree% % Don't know

Below are a number of statements that other people have made about climate change/global warming. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of these statements?


Politicians make a fuss about climate change in order to distract us from other issues

Climate change is being used by the government as an excuse to raise taxes

50

47



The majority of the British public are uncertain about the effects of climate change, mirroring perceived uncertainty amongst climate scientists.

However, people do foresee some tangible impact; the majority feel climate change will affect their area and significant numbers believe Britain is already feeling the effects.

That said, fewer than half feel it will impact them personally.

A minority think climate change/global warming is not necessarily a bad thing for the planet and that it means the UK will have better weather and more sunshine.

14

56

12

114 3

% Neither agree nor disagree

% Strongly agree% Don’t know / no

opinion

%Tend to disagree

% Tend to agree

% Strongly disagree

Base:1,822 British adults, aged 15 and over, 6th January-26th March 2010


The British public are uncertain about what the effects of climate change will beTo what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about climate change?It is uncertain what the effects of climate change will be

69

41%

13%

14%

11%

5%

4%

4%

7%

Though four in ten think that the effects of climate change are already being felt in Britain


We are already feeling the effects

In the next 10 years




Beyond the next 100 years

Never

Don’t know / no opinion

When, if at all, do you think Britain will start feeling the effects of climate change?


13

14

11

7

40

32

34

25

16

15

20

15

21

25

25

33

6

11

8

15

4

3

3

4

A majority of the public feel climate change will affect their area, though under half feel it will impact on them personally


Climate change will mostly affect developing countries

Climate change is likely to have a big impact on people like me

Climate change will mostly affect areas that are far away

from here

My local area is likely to be affected by climate change




32

45

46

53

28

19

49

47 14

11

12

7

4

1 3

3

A majority feel there are risks to the British people but concern is falling

2005

2010


There are risks to people in Britain from climate change




66

77

25

21

35 18

271

2 16

12 33 4

4

And more are now likely to feel climate change will bring benefits, though they do remain a minority

2005

2010


There are benefits to people in Britain from climate change




5 33

12

12

40

31

35

10

25

27

23

18

8

6

71

3

4

Much uncertainty about what climate change means for the UK climate


% Strongly agree % Tend to agree % Neither / nor% Tend to disagree % Strongly disagree % Don't know



Climate change/global warming means the UK will get much wetter

Climate change/global warming means the UK will have better weather and more sunshine

Climate change/global warming is not necessarily a bad thing for the planet

38

15

13



Most feel national governments and the international community should be mainly responsible for taking action on climate change. Only one in ten feel the responsibility mainly lies withindividuals.

However, it is widely accepted that some responsibility must liewith the public though people are less convinced they can actually make a difference.

Despite rises in scepticism, self-reported behaviours on certain environmental actions such as recycling, taking energy efficiency measures and cutting down car use have increased over recent years.

This will partly reflect increasing ease with which these actions be adopted (e.g. kerbside recycling, availability of low energy bulbs) as well as associated financial and health benefits.

32%

30%

16%

10%

3%

3%

1%

3%

2%

39%

32%

10%

8%

0%

4%

2%

Most continue to feel governments and the international community should take most responsibility

National governments

The international community

Industry/CompaniesIndividuals and their families

None of these

Environmental groups

Local authorities

Don’t know

Other

2010 2005

Which one, if any, of these do you think should be mainly responsible for taking action against climate change?



20

17

11

50

46

42

14

12

15

9

17

21

5

7

10 1

1

1

However, most feel some sense of responsibility and empowerment

Base: 1,822 British adults, aged 15 and over, 6th January-26th March 2010

I can personally help to reduce climate change by

changing my behaviour

I personally feel that I can make a difference with

regard to climate change

It is my responsibility to help to do something about

climate change




53

63

70

20

40

60

80

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 2009

Taken energy efficiency measures RecycledCut down use of car to help environment

And people are claiming to do more on a number of environmental behaviours

%

Which of the following have you done/bought in the last 12 months?

71%

84%

41%

61%

32%

Base: 1,144 GB adults 16-64, 21st – 24th August 2009, 2008* is based on 1562 GB adults 16-64. Prior to 2008: c.2,000 GB adults aged 16+. *2008 reweighted to reflect online population profile aged 16-64

27%

Source: Ipsos MORI Corporate Social Responsibility Tracker

35%

40%

24%

Recycling has been a success story in some areas

Recycling significantly more

Don’t know 1%Recycling less/a lot less – 1%

Recycling more

Recycling about the same

Base: 687 British adults with some form of alternate waste collection, 15+, face to face and in home, 23rd – 29th May 2008

And in terms of how much you are recycling since the current collection system was introduced, would you say you are?

Source: Ipsos MORI

Those on weekly collections

68%

Q Thinking about your own household, which of the following – if any – do you think would be significant problems if your council introduced fortnightly collections? (ASKED OF THOSE ON WEEKLY COLLECTIONS)

Increase in smells from rubbish

Increase in rats/vermin/foxes

Increase in flies from rubbishPeople in the area dumping more

household rubbishContainer for rubbish won’t be big/good

enough

It will be difficult to know/remember what days the collection comes





enough

It will be difficult to know/remember what days the collection comes





enoughMissed collections or rubbish/recycling/

food wasteContainer for recycling won’t be big/

good enoughContainer for food waste won’t be big/

good enoughIt will be difficult to know/remember what

days the collection comes

Fear of fortnightly collections does not translate into reality for most

Base: 687 British adults with some form of AWC & 649 British adults with weekly rubbish collections, aged 15+, face to face and in home, 23rd – 29th May 2008

Q Thinking about your household, would you say that any of the following have been significant problems? (ASKED OF THOSE ON FORTNIGHTLY COLLECTIONS)

Those on fortnightly collections

30%

9%

21%

12%

16%

9%

18%

8%

11%

57%

51%

38%

35%

18%

16%

15%

12% Source: Ipsos MORI

4%

10%

11%

20%

53%

2%

17%

31%

25%

14%

9%

3%

Attitudes towards alternative collection arrangements are highly dependent on the specifics

Strongly support

Tend to support

Neither support nor oppose

Tend to oppose

Strongly oppose

Don’t know

Qa Qb

Qa To what extent would you support or oppose a change in collection system in your local area, with fortnightly rubbish collections?

Qb To what extent would you support or oppose a change if the frequency of recycling collections and/or size of containers were increased and a separate weekly collection of food waste was introduced/increased

Base: 649 British adults with weekly rubbish collections, aged 15+, face to face and in home, 23rd – 29th May 2008 Source: Ipsos MORI

Personal responsibility is typically not related to wider global factors


Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither / norTend to disagree Strongly disagree Don't know


8 16 24 25 23 3

I am NOT going to make changes to my lifestyle for the sake of climate change/global warming when I don’t think that some other countries, such as America and China, are doing enough to tackle the issue

49%




People show concern around energy security issues when prompted, with concern higher around the UK becoming too dependent on importing energy, fossil fuels running out and electricity remaining affordable.

The public continue to favour renewables over fossil fuels or nuclear and some would be willing to pay more to ensure their energy comes from renewables.

Whilst the majority remain concerned about the use of nuclear energy, levels of concern have fallen in recent years.

Similarly, whilst the public remain divided on the replacement of existing nuclear power stations, support for expanding the number of nuclear power stations is on the increase.

23

30

28

40

40

45 36

38

38

41

36

35 29

25

25

18

15

14 2

4

3

3

5

7 6

4

3

3

3

2

Concerns around energy security are high when people are prompted

Base:1,822 British adults, aged 15 and over, 6th January-26 March 2010

There will be power cuts

Electricity will become unaffordable

Supplies of fossil fuels (e.g. coal and gas) will run out

The UK will become too dependent on energy from other countries

Terrorist attacks will cause interruptions to electricity supplies

% Not at all concerned% Not very concerned% Fairly concerned% Very concerned% Don't know/no opinion

How concerned, if at all are you that in the future…

Electricity will be rationed


88%

82%

76%

57%

56%

36%

34%

33%

87%

82%

76%

53%

56%

38%

36%

39%

People remain more favourable towards renewables than fossil fuels and nuclear


How favourable or unfavourable are your current overall opinions or impressions of the following sources for producing electricity...?

Sun / solar power

Wind

Hydroelectric

Biomass

Gas

Coal

Nuclear

2010 2005


Oil

There is some willingness to pay more for renewable energy but not for nuclear power

Your electricity comes primarily

from renewables?

31

34

36

Your electricity comes primarily from nuclear

power?

72

18

11

Base: 1,822 British adults aged 15 and over, 6th-January-26th March 2010

Considering your current electricity bills, by how much, if at all, would you be willing to increase the amount that you pay per month in order to ensure that:


£0£0

£2- £8

£2- £8

£10 and over

£10 and over

10

17

40

37

38

38

38

33

22

18

10

14

17

16

6

9

6

7

2

4

5

2

4

2

2005

2010

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Promoting renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is a better way of tackling climate change than nuclear power




2005

2010We need nuclear power because renewable energy sources alone are not able to meet our electricity needs

Nuclear power is seen as necessary to meet energy needs but less effective than renewables in tackling climate change

16%

30%

12%

2%

2%

28%

31%

27%

11%

3%

38%

However, the public are becoming less concerned about nuclear powerHow concerned, if at all, are you about nuclear power?

Very concerned

Fairly concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

Don’t know

No opinion

2010 2005



33%

29%

17%

13%

6%

1%

34%

34%

9%

15%

6%

1%

And support for increasing the number of nuclear power stations is on the riseWhich, if any, of the following statements most closely describes your own opinion about nuclear power in Britain today?

We should continue using the existing power stations, but not replace them with new ones

We should continue using the existing nuclear power stations, and replace them with new ones

We should increase the number of nuclear power stations

We should shut down all existing nuclear power stations now, and not replace them with new ones

Don’t know

None of these

2010 2005



Public opinion on the benefits and risks of nuclear power is finely balanced, but has shifted towards the benefits

% Benefits far outweigh the risks % Benefits slightly outweigh the risks

% Risks slightly outweigh the benefits

% Risks far outweigh the benefits % Don't know / no opinion

From what you know or have heard about using nuclear power for generating electricity in Britain, on balance, which of these statements, if any, reflects your own opinion?

% Benefits and risks are about the same

7

25

16 20

19

13

32

41

2005

17

19

17

22

169

2010

38

37



32

9

1

2

3

5

17

18

19

19

Costs are competitive

Perceived benefits of nuclear energy What do you believe are, if any, the benefits of nuclear energy as a source of electricity?

General impact on the environment/ Cleaner

Only a small amount of waste is produced

None

Base: All respondents 2009 (2,050)

Ensures reliable supply of electricity/ Energy independence

No carbon dioxide is produced during generation/ helps to combat climate change -1

-3

-4

+1

-1

+2

-4

Change ‘08-’09

Don’t know/no answer +2

Proven technology that already exists

+5

-2

Less use of fossil fuels/ Natural resources

Other

45

% Top mentions

Source: Nuclear Industry Association/ Ipsos MORI

624

233

78

1124

2835

Risk of accident

Perceived disadvantages of nuclear energyLooking at this card, what do you believe are, if any, the disadvantages of nuclear energy as a source of electricity?

Radiation/contamination riskGeneral impact on the environment

(unspecified)

Cost is too high

Base: All respondents (2,050) 2009

Other

(Long term) disposal of nuclear waste

None

-1

Change ‘08-’09

-3

-2

0

+3

-8

+3

Potential terrorist target

-2

46

Ugly/Eyesores/Loss of visual amenity

Public opinion/Public perception

Don’t know

0

0

+2

% Top mentions

Source: Nuclear Industry Association/ Ipsos MORI

To what extent would you support or oppose the following developments in your area? (By area we mean up to approximately 5 miles from your home)

2

2

35

30

3

19

17

43

14

17

9

21

31

9

39

29

7

People oppose the construction of nuclear or coal power stations in their areas but are more open to wind farms


The building of a new coal fired power station

The building of a new nuclear power station

% Strongly support % Tend to support % Neither support nor oppose

% Tend to oppose % Strongly oppose % Don't know/ No opinion

The building of a new wind farm


73%

21%

24%

To what extent do you think that your local community would support or oppose the following developments in your area?

2

16

3

37

11

13

12

10

15

17

23

29

13

47

33 7

6

7

And the pattern is similar when people are asked about how others would feel


The building of a new coal fired power station

The building of a new nuclear power station

The building of a new wind farm


% Strongly support % Tend to support % Neither support nor oppose

% Tend to oppose % Strongly oppose % Don't know/ No opinion

52%

15%

14%



Two in five British adults say they are prepared to pay more forenvironmentally friendly products and most have higher regard for environmentally friendly companies and brands.

Most consumers are interested in the environmental credentials of companies and products.

One in four think it is very important that a company shows a high degree of social responsibility, though this is lower than in previous years.

Two in five say they are prepared to pay more for environmentally friendly products

2010

40%

60%

2009

43%

58%


Are you prepared to pay more for a product that is environmentally friendly?

No

Yes Yes

No


54%

30%

10%

6%

55%

29%

10%

7%

Good environmental credentials improves a company’s reputation with the majority of consumers

Base: Online survey, 1043 British adults aged 16-64, January 2010; 1000 British adults aged 16-64, March 2009

Yes, I think much better of them for doing their bit

I don’t think of them any differently

I think poorly of them as they are just profiting from people’s

increasing concerns about global warming

Don’t know

2010 2009

Do you think differently of companies or brands for developing environmental programmes or developing environmentally friendly products?


14%

42%30%

10%4%

Over half of all consumers are interested in the environmental credentials of a company

Fairly interested

Don’t know

Not very interested

Very interestedNot at all interested

Base: Online survey, 1043 British adults 16-64, February 2010

How interested, or not, are you in claims made about the environmental credentials of a product or company?


56%

24%

41%

46%

38%

40%

43%

26%

40%

48%

8%

10%

9%

12%

17%

35%

46%

41%

43%

46%

47%

45%

12%

11%

15%

3%

3%

3%

2%

5%

9%

4%

4%

1999

2003

2007

1997

2005

2001

Base: 1,011 GB adults 16+, 4th – 10th September 2009, face-to-face methodology in each year. 1997-2008 c. 1,000 GB adults 16+ each year

Very important Fairly important Not very important Not at all important

When forming a decision about buying a product or service from a particular company or organisation, how important is it that it shows a high degree of social responsibility?

Importance of social responsibility to purchase has fallen back to 1997 levels

2008

2009


Concern for the environment has fallen as an important corporate issue according to the public

0

20

40

60

'93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99' '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09

Concern for the environment (29%)Keeping price rises to reasonable level (24%)Caring for employees (38%)

What do you think companies should pay particular attention to over the next few years ? (Prompted)

%

Base: All British Public (c1,000)


567788891112

1521

2431

What do you think are the two or three most important things to know about a company in order to judge its reputation? (Spontaneous)

And is not a key reputational factor for businesses when asked spontaneously

Honesty/integrityQuality of products/services

Fair/competitive prices

Profitability

Good/sound management

Productivity/efficiency

Customer service

Long established

-14

-9-12

+7

-3+1

+1

Change 08-09

+4

-17

Base: All British Public (1,014), September 2009

Working conditions

Environment concern/ protection +2

-4

Treatment of staff

% TOP MENTIONS

Good wagesInvolvement in the community

+5

+1

Expansion/growth +1


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Documents

British Attitudes to Environment / Climate Change / Future-energy-choices