MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Most people (53%) believe they can do no more to reduce their
environmental impact. This is according to a recent report from B&Q,
which makes for surprising reading
‘We’ve done all we can’
D
ramatic changes in attitudes and behav-
More than half of
iour are needed to have a significant
those surveyed
impact on climate change, according to would consider
a new report published by DIY retailer B&Q.
reducing their
The Future of the Home Report, commis-
water consumption
at home
sioned to celebrate the firm’s 40th birthday,
shows a staggering 53% of those asked believe
they have already done all they can to minimise
their impact on the environment, although in
many cases this is limited to having a water butt
or using the council’s composting service.
B&Q’s director of social responsibility, Matt
Sexton, said: “Something’s got to change – our
attitudes, or the climate.
“This report shows just one in ten of us are
planning improvements to make our homes
more sustainable. What’s most worrying
though is that the research suggests more than
half of us believe we are already doing every-
thing we can to minimise our impact on
the environment.
“In reality, we all need to make significant
changes to our homes if we are to meet the gov-
ernment’s commitment to reduce our emissions
by 80% by 2050.”
More than 1,000 people were asked their
views for the research. The report found
58% of us believe it is our responsibility to
minimise the impact of our homes yet also
showed us to be focusing on the simplest or
cheapest changes, which are not necessarily
the most effective.
Given a list of several eco-improvements,
on average, people considered fewer than
three worthwhile with the easiest or cheapest
being the most popular. More than half of those
surveyed would consider reducing their water
consumption at home, with recycling rainwater
top of the list, followed by home composting
and growing our own veg.
Sexton added: “Our homes are responsible
for almost a third of the UK’s carbon emissions
so it seems the logical place to start reducing while a similar proportion (37%) say they While 58% of us believe it our responsibili-
our carbon footprint. would be encouraged to consider eco-improve- ty to minimise the impact of our homes on the
ments for their home if they understood the environment, conversely almost two thirds
Just one thing long-term savings. (63%) said they want regulation to ensure all
“If you do just one thing at home, ensure your Ed Matthews, head of UK climate at Friends properties are equipped to cope with climate
loft is insulated. In a climate where everyone is of the Earth, said: “Although finance continues change. A further 56% think that the way we
looking to save money, as much as £1 in every to be the main motivator, there is also a lack of live at home will need to be closely regulated to
£4 you’re spending on heating an uninsulated understanding about which changes are the minimise our impact on the environment.
home is likely to be wasted. Insulation is a great most effective. A lot of people know about The report identifies the need for eco-
way to save money and help reduce your climate change and are quite worried about it options to be affordable. And B&Q is doing its
impact on the environment.” but they’re still not doing anything. bit through its new One Planet Home range,
More than a third (35%) feel they need “It needs to be a cheap option for people, it which includes more than 3,000 affordable
better advice on the steps they can take to needs to be easy, it needs to be professionalised products that can help people live more
reduce carbon emissions from their homes, and it also needs to be regulated.” sustainably at home.
32 May 2009 ❘ Sustainable Business
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