New research reveals Britons expect Government and businesses to do more to tackle the climate crisis

With over 8 in 10 (82%) of those surveyed worried about climate change, urgency for real action to fight the climate crisis is surging amongst the British public. 69% now believe that it is a personal responsibility to act against climate change, with 63% saying that they are concerned whether the energy they use at home comes from renewable sources.

David Flood, Managing Director of Statkraft UK, says however:

“It can’t be down to individuals alone to tackle the greatest crisis facing the globe, policy action and real systemic change are what’s required to save our planet. It’s vital that Government and businesses drive forward a real energy transformation.” 

For the UK to dramatically reduce its carbon emissions by 2035, ambitious measures will have to be taken. The British public are demanding real action and want businesses and the Government to do more when it comes to tackling the climate crisis. Only a third think that the Government is currently doing enough, while almost half (47%) believe that the biggest contributors to the climate crisis are energy companies using fossil fuels. The majority (57%) of Britons also want the power they rely on when stepping away from their homes to come from renewable sources.

The British public overwhelmingly support the rollout of renewables, with almost four in five (78%) supporting solar power, double that of the support for nuclear power (39%). In fact, 83% of Britons would be happy to or wouldn’t mind living within 5km of a solar farm. While three quarters (75%) take a positive stance on offshore wind and 70% are positive toward onshore, proving that Britons have moved away from traditional, polluting energy sources and instead look to a greener future for the UK.

While the British public are backing the rollout of renewables, British businesses are also taking a stand for the climate. The intent and ambition from electro intensive industry decision makers to help their companies meet carbon neutrality goals is extremely high – almost unanimous – with 93% saying that they are already taking proactive steps to become carbon neutral.

However, this intent must go together with action. Just 38% of business decision makers surveyed currently purchase clean energy, proving that there’s real need for companies to be moving towards these goals faster. Fortunately, in the UK, demand for renewables from businesses is high with 77% reporting that they are already planning to purchase their power from renewable sources. Confidence amongst business decision makers is also high, with 88% saying that they are likely to achieve a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2050, in line with EU goals.

On the role of business, David Flood says:

“For the UK to meet its 2050 net zero emissions target, electricity must be generated by proven renewable technologies, put in place today in order to protect future generations. At Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable power generator, we recognise our responsibility to make it as easy as possible for British businesses to switch to clean, renewable electricity. We take that responsibility seriously and are focused on removing the barriers to entry - increasing accessibility and reducing costs, as we work to tackle the climate crisis.”

With the support and ambition of both the UK public and British business, the stage is set for bolder Government action and policies to accelerate the rollout of renewables.