Consumers believe the government needs to offer more financial incentives to help people go green and to enable the UK to hit its net zero target, according to new research from The Green Insurer.
Its study found 61% of adults want the government to provide grants or other support to help drive more carbon-reducing initiatives, such as the installation of heat pumps in the home or electric charging points on driveways. That’s nearly three times as many as the 21% who say the government has other funding priorities.
The research found fewer than one in three (29%) adults are confident the UK’s 2030 ‘net zero’ target will be met although younger generations are more optimistic than older people. Around 57% of 25 – 34 year olds think the target will be met, compared to just 17% of the over-55s.
The government’s net zero policy, which includes the UK having a zero carbon electricity system and a ban on the sale of new internal combustion vehicles by 2035, is seen as being “too ambitious” by 30% of respondents. A further 23% say the target is “completely unrealistic” and don’t see the UK being net zero by 2040 and possibly beyond.
The study found most adults (78%) are concerned about global warming with 43% saying they are “very concerned”. Just one in seven (14%) claim not be concerned about global warming, and just 8% say they are indifferent to the issue, due to lack of knowledge about global warming.
Four in five (78%) are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. The most common measures being taken to contribute to a more sustainable future include recycling and choosing reusable products to minimise waste (57%), buying local or UK-sourced food produce to minimise food miles (32%) and reducing their meat and dairy consumption (25%). Car use is also being targeted with 33% saying they are using public transport instead of the car for short trips and more than one in 10 (11%) switching from a petrol or diesel car to an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Table of actions taken by UK consumers to protect the environment
| Action taken | Percentage of respondents |
| Minimise waste by choosing reusable products and recycling | 57% |
| Reduced number of short car trips by choosing to take public transport | 33% |
| Bought local or UK-sourced food produce to minimise food miles | 32% |
| Reduced intake of meat and dairy products | 25% |
| Stopped taking short-haul or internal flights to take train (or other more sustainable transportation) | 17% |
| Installed solar panels to generate electricity | 14% |
| Switched from petrol or diesel car to a electric or hybrid vehicle | 11% |
| Replaced my fossil fuel-fired boiler with a heat pump | 6% |
| Purchased a separate carbon offset product to reduce environmental impact when purchasing plane ticket or other item | 7% |
Paul Baxter, CEO of The Green Insurer, says: “Although our research has shown that public opinion on whether the UK will reach its “net zero” target by 2030 is divided, it is clear that most of the nation is united in their concern about global warming. Our finding show that many are making small, everyday changes, such as opting to take public transport where possible instead of getting in the car, and collectively are making a significant impact on reducing global carbon emissions.
“People do still need their cars in order to get from A to B, and we launched our car insurance policies with environmentally conscientious drivers in mind. They are particularly attractive to those motorists who need to drive but who have also got concerns about environmental sustainability and who wish to reduce their personal carbon footprint.”
The Green Insurer has launched car insurance policies that customers can buy direct from its website at www.thegreeninsurer.com and through leading price comparison websites. A customer’s Green Driving Score will be used to calculate their renewal premium and to offer discounts when they renew. Policies are linked to a mobile app, which monitors how customers drive.
