New research from Legal & General reveals that more than eight in ten Brits, 82%, are annoyed by government and business initiatives that are forcing green values on them.
With climate change minister, Joan Ruddock proposing plans to implement a 10p “throwaway tax” on plastic carrier bags, one green initiative that is disliked by nearly one in four people is having to pay for plastic bags at shops and supermarkets, 23%. Other green initiatives that are disliked include being charged for waste removal, 54%, and half are unhappy with the reduction in waste collections.
With 98% of Brits saying that they are taking steps to make their home more environmentally friendly, the new findings suggest Brits want to make their own decisions and choices on how green to be.
The findings are part of Legal & General’s Changing Face of British Homes research, which surveyed a GB representative sample of over 4,000 adults. The following table highlights what is annoying Brits the most when it comes to enforced environmental measures:
54% of Brits find charging for waste removal the most annoying Government and business green initiatives, while 50% find that the reduced waste collections are one of the most annoying things. Energy ratings as part of Home Information Packs comes in at 27%, Paying for plastic carrier bags at 23% and water meters at 23%.
While it was found that both men and women are similarly annoyed, British men are more irritated, 84%, than women, 80% and older householders are coping less well with green initiatives - 85% of those aged 55 or over admitted to being annoyed by the implementation of green measures compared to only 74% of 18 to 24 year olds.
Despite Brits’ frustrations at being forced to go green, many are keen to play their part at being environmentally friendly and voluntarily already take green steps in their homes.
83% of British in this study said that they recycle rubbish, 82% that they ensure that lights are turned off in empty rooms, 72% use low energy light bulbs. Of those surveyed 71% said that they use reusable shopping bags, 64% that they do not leave TVs, computers or other electrical items on standby. Furthermore 37% replied they they have double glazing or draft proofing, 27% share bath water, 25% said that they had installed or are installing extra loft insulation and 23% that they recycle rain water.
Ruth Wilkins, Head of communications at Legal & General’s general insurance business commented: “While people are annoyed by the implementation of green initiatives the efforts being made to force residents to recycle more of their rubbish are beginning to pay off, with recycling rates jumping from 7% to 33% in the past ten years. Legal & General’s recent research would support these findings as the Changing Face of British Homes research shows that a large number of us are taking steps to become greener. Brits simply want to make their own decisions regarding how and when to be green.
Legal & General understands that the look and feel of our homes is changing and that people are looking at ways to improve their carbon footprint. Legal & General has responded to this change by automatically including cover for solar panels, wind turbines and ground source heating pumps under the buildings section of their household insurance policy. We would advise anyone considering making any major green improvements to their home to check their insurance cover to make sure they are covered under the terms of their policy.”
This research is part of Legal & General’s Changing Face of British Homes ongoing research revealing how British homes are changing in line with our changing lifestyles.
Further details are available at www.changingfaceofbritishhomes.co.uk.
Legal & General’s Changing Face of British Homes research was conducted by YouGov, among a GB representative sample of 4,461adults between 14 and 19 May 2008, and is an ongoing research by Legal & General’s general insurance business to understand how people from different demographic groups use and relate to their homes. The study will take a look at the home lives of people across the UK in order to understand their changing needs and tastes.
The annoyance felt by the more than eight in ten Brits by government and business initiatives forcing green values on them can only be too well understood for it is the forcing bit that always gets people's backs up. What is needed, and I will say this, yet again, is an incentive scheme, as in so many other countries, rather than punishments and fines left, right and center, as proposed by the current UK government.
All that seems to be in the government's idea cupboard is how to fine people for this infringement as to refuse collections and that infringement as to not recycling, etc. Fining people for putting out their bins at the “wrong” day certainly does not make for people happy to go and recycle and become “green”. What is makes is for disgruntled people who go into the local parks and open spaces and fly tip their rubbish there instead. Something that certainly more than defeats the object but the truth of which cannot be seen by whose that sit in ivory towers with blinkers on.
Legal & General with additional comments by Michael Smith (Veshengro), August 2008
Legal & General material via: FD Consumer Dynamics
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BRITS HAPPY TO BE GREEN – BUT ON THEIR TERMS
