The public is keener on being green than they are given
credit for, a ground-breaking attitude survey has found.
But their mistrust of energy companies and the government
and their motives threatens the long-term green ambition.
People want to see a change to an efficient, clean, fair and
safe energy system, the two year survey sponsored by the UK Energy Research Council (UKERC) discovered.
They favour renewables like solar and wind – in the right
places – and are generally negative towards fossil fuels.
While 21% would object to a wind turbine near their home 54%
would object to a nuclear power station
And a whopping 82% are worried about the UK becoming too
dependent on energy from other countries – in other words importing gas or
coal.
When I asked at a Science Media Centre briefing whether the
results showed people were more favourable toward green energy and changing to
renewables than recognised in some sections of the press and the government the
answer I got was simple: “Yes.”
Professor Nick Pidgeon, who led the research team, said:
“The British public backs a green energy future looking into the long term but
there is an element of distrust with energy companies and government which may
be a problem in realising that ambition..
“It is often said people don’t want change but what we found
was that when the policies were explained they were actually very enthusiastic
about change.
“They wanted a transition to something that was efficient,
clean, fair and safe.
“The public vision is one with a strong commitment to renewable energy production and a shift away from fossil fuels over
the long term - and I must stress that - and an overall improvement in energy
efficiency and a reduction in demand.”
It is the first in-depth study of public values around
energy change.
More than 8 out of 10 (81%) would like to reduce their
energy use.
The survey, surprisingly, did not examine attitudes to
fracking. The researchers claimed it was too early to get meaningful results.
But support for solar (85%) and wind energy (75%) remained
strong and 74% were very or fairly concerned by climate change – a figure that
has remained constant since 2010.
The researchers found 79% want to see a reduction in fossil
fuels over the next few decades with 48% worried they were running out and 36%
concerned fossil fuels were causing climate change.
A massive 83% are worried electricity and gas will become
unaffordable for them over the next ten to 20 years.
More than half (53%) would be willing to use electric cars
rising to 75% if they performed the same way as petrol-driven cars.
But there was strong resistance to any idea of cutting down
on flying, especially for leisure and holidays.
Support for carbon capture and storage was low. 42% said
they had never heard of it and a further 26% knew next to nothing about it
“When people were told about it they saw it as a non
transition they said: “Why would you want to do that?”
Professor Pidgeon said the survey showed people were less
likely to object to having their televisions switched off from standby remotely
or by “smart meters” when they weren’t watching than having their showers
limited or their fridges or freezers switched off for short periods to save
energy.
Most people did not mind sharing their energy use data but
one in five did object and people were less happy handing over the info to
government than energy companies.
The overall message is that people recognise the need to
change the way we get energy and are up for it – as long as their core values
are protected.
“People wanted
to avoid waste and move to a more efficient system. Any system which threatens
the environment will have a question mark against it, “ Professor Pidgeon
added.
“People had a very pragmatic view. They realised you could
not deliver this overnight there would be all sorts of compromises that would have to be made but for them
energy efficiency and change has to fit in to a long-term trajectory. “
The study: Transforming the UK energy system – public
values, attitudes and acceptability is launched today (July 16).
ends
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