Brits ‘voting with their feet’ on progress towards cleaner communities

• E.ON survey of 10,000 people across the UK highlights growing demand for faster pace of sustainable change
• Generations split in attitudes to urgency and scale of response to climate crisis
• Three-fifths of 18-24-year-olds believe green investment improves career opportunities

A growing number of Britons would move home or shift jobs if their communities or companies do not commit to going greener in the next decade, a major survey by E.ON¹ has revealed, with just over one in ten people (13%) saying their local communities are investing enough in becoming more sustainable.

In a sign of growing demand for more sustainable sources of energy – allied to cleaner air in cities and greater investment in greener lifestyles – almost a quarter (23%) of people would consider moving away if their city or town does not become greener. That figure has risen by almost half from a similar nationwide E.ON survey in 2022², when 16% of people made the same claim.

In the workplace more than a quarter (26%) of people said they would be prepared to quit their job if the company didn’t become greener in the next 5 years, rising from around one in five (18%) people in 2022.

E.ON’s study of 10,000 people across the country highlights widespread discontent at the speed investment programmes are being rolled out. More than half (51%) of people don’t think the country is working fast enough to reduce carbon emissions, while fewer than one in ten (8%) feel listened to on decisions around local green investments.

 

Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: “This survey builds on our 2022 research and shows attitudes and ambitions towards building more sustainable communities are growing year on year, and it’s on all of us across business, public life and within our communities to respond to that clamour for change.

"Investing in sustainability brings so many social benefits and it’s something absolutely everyone can see the value of, whether that’s helping people with lower energy bills, cleaning the air in our streets, or creating the jobs and skills we need for the future. What we call the energy transition has benefits right across society and we have to share that message wider.

“While our study highlights frustration among the public around the speed and scale of sustainable investment, it also demonstrates people understand and really want the benefits such investment will bring. Chief among these is the positive impact on jobs and prosperity.”

Wanting more say

Only (10%) of people say they feel proud of the work being done by their local communities to invest in green initiatives. The lowest levels of pride are felt most in the East Midlands (7%), East of England, North East and North West (all 8%).

Fewer than one in ten (8% but up from 7% in 2022) feel listened to when it comes to decision making around local green investments, with that number falling to just 6% in the North, Wales, and across the Midlands.

Across the UK, 60% of adults want more say in how taxpayers’ money is invested in green initiatives for businesses and communities, peaking in the South of England (63%) , London (63%) and Scotland (59%).

Cities and towns face a potential exodus without action...

74% of people agree environmental change starts with communities or businesses, yet two in five (39% – although a reduction from 46% in 2022) do not think that their region is doing enough to reduce carbon emissions and make life greener.

Londoners led the way among those willing to move to a different area, with more than a third (34%) of capital dwellers threatening to move if their city doesn’t become greener in the next five to ten years.

The top five sustainable improvements people would like to see in their community:

1. Make homes greener and cheaper to run – 55%
2. Reduce the carbon impact of public buildings – 47%
3. Create more green spaces in built up urban areas – 44%
4. Make sure all new building projects are completed to a net-zero standard – 43%
5. Electrify all public transport – 36%

 

...and also at work

E.ON’s research shows there is a demand for businesses, as well as local authorities, to do more to drive the green agenda. More than three quarters (77%) of people would like to see their companies take actions to improve their environmental credentials, while roughly only one in ten (12%) say they have access to the tools and training needed to work more sustainably. 

In a clear message to employers competing for the best young talent, 42% of 18-24-year-olds admit they would be prepared to move to another company if they were not satisfied with their current company’s green efforts, compared to a UK average of 26%. Those who would look for another job decreased as respondent ages increased across those aged 25-34 (33%), 35-44 (27%) 45-54 (21%) and 55+ (16%).

The top sustainable improvements needed from businesses are:

1. Make offices greener (e.g. insulation, solar panels, heat pumps etc) – 43%
2. Make recycling easier – 43%
3. Ban the use of disposable plastic – 31%
4. Commit to only using sustainable suppliers – 28%
5. Invest in local green community projects – 26%
6. Ensure pension providers hold carbon friendly investment portfolios – 21%

E.ON’s data shows the public is optimistic about the transformational impact that green investments³ could have for jobs and prosperity at a local level. This is spearheaded by the younger generation with three fifths (59%) of 18-24-year-olds believing funding for sustainable projects will increase career opportunities within their communities.

 

 

 

'Spark a Light' by John Bernard, Coventry's Poet Laureate

E.ON commissioned a nationwide poll of 10,000 people to gauge attitudes towards sustainability around the country. The company asked Coventry’s Poet Laureate, John Bernard, to craft a poem based on the survey responses from Coventry’s citizens, bringing to life their hopes and fears.

Titled ‘Spark a Light’, John says he wanted his poem to act as a call to action for all.

“I didn’t want to be too preachy in this. I wanted it to be as not only relatable, but as digestible as possible.

“I’m also learning and I’m also trying to understand what I can do for myself as an individual.

“So that’s why I say, you know what, it’s not about just me trying to tell you something you’ve heard before, it’s kind of a call to action for all of us.”

0:05/2:15

 

 

Generations

There is a consensus across the country, with more than three quarters of all age groups agreeing that communities (76%) and businesses (77%) need to become greener for the benefit of younger generations, but despite that, younger age groups were always more likely to place a higher importance on sustainability in their home and work choices.

Younger age groups (18-24) were twice as likely to cite the sustainability credentials of a business as a reason to work there – 43% versus 18% in the over 55s – and twice as likely to move companies if their employer did not take steps to go greener (42% versus 16%).

Young adults in the 18-24 age bracket also signalled they would be willing to move to areas with better environmental credentials, with half (50%) saying it’s an important factor in where they choose to live.

E.ON is the Strategic Energy Partner for the city of Coventry in a 15-year collaboration aiming to create a city more self-sufficient in sustainable energy, with potential plans including solar energy for public buildings and schools, electrification of local transport, and improvements to the energy efficiency of homes and workplaces. Already, £2.8m has been secured from the government’s Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) to fund better insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, and building control technology for Coventry-based homeowners and landlords.