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GHD survey reveals 81% of British consumers support carbon labelling on daily services and 60% would pay more for environmentally friendly options
GHD envisages that carbon labelling could work in a similar way to nutritional labelling by displaying the approximate carbon impact of a particular service on the ticket or bill, such as a journey on public transport or a month's energy or water consumption. It could help companies offer carbon impact alternatives.
The survey indicates that greater transparency around the environmental impact of choices would help individuals to better understand their own carbon footprint, driving a conscious consumer shift in behaviours towards lower carbon consumption. If the UK is to achieve its 2050 net zero target, consumer behaviour could be the key agent of change which is yet to be fully recognised.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the survey found that those of younger generations are more willing to adapt their lifestyles to help the environment. Significantly, despite typically earning less than their older counterparts, almost three quarters of the consumers polled aged between 18 and 24 would pay more for greener services.
Consumers would most like to see carbon labelling introduced on energy bills, water bills and travel tickets. Due to complex supply chains and reporting processes, this approach is best suited to industries where there is a clearer relationship between a product or service and its carbon impact, such as the water, public transport and energy sectors.
GHD's full report on the findings of the survey, entitled "Committing to carbon transparency; Building consumer understanding and co-operation to create change", can be found here.
GHD has delivered landmark energy, water, transport and environmental projects across the globe. It offers a broad range of services to its clients through a globally connected network, and is committed to making water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come. In line with this, GHD will be writing to MPs to encourage them to support the improvement of consumer transparency with regards to carbon consumption.
The survey was conducted among 1002 UK consumers, balanced by age, gender, and region. At an overall level, results are accurate to ± 3.1% at 95% confidence limits assuming a result of 50%. The interviews were conducted online by Sapio Research in October 2020 using an email invitation and an online survey.
Lucas Bramwell / Charlotte Anderson
+44 7939 694437 / +44 7827 023678
ghd@tbcardew.com
GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD's network of 10,000+ specialists are connected across 200 offices located in five continents and the Pacific region. www.ghd.com
GHD has long recognised the need to shift to a more sustainable energy landscape, where renewables play a larger role and emissions-intensive industries move to a decarbonised future. Future Energy is GHD's commitment to the energy transition; a promise to bring everything we have – expert people, global perspectives and diverse experience – to this urgent need for change. As strategic advisors, engineers and energy experts, we are uniquely placed to make a positive impact by providing services across the entire value chain – from origination through to project delivery and beyond. Our vision is to support clients and communities to lead the transition towards a future of affordable, reliable, secure and low carbon energy, to achieve lasting global benefit. www.ghd.com/futureenergy