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Climate change and you: our survey results

For the last three years we've carried out our climate action survey to better understand the attitudes to climate change across the South West, as well as the actions we're each taking to play our part.

Over 1,300 people completed our 2022 survey, from a wide range of ages.

We asked respondents about the actions that they currently take when it comes to sustainability, as well as how they intend to act in the future, by categorising sustainable actions into the following behaviours:

  • Reduce water and food waste
  • Recycle and choose products with recycled content, whenever possible
  • Switch to renewable energy and conserve energy
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods
  • Purchase durable products, not disposable
  • Choose nature-friendly products that protect habitats and biodiversity

The insights from the survey help us to better understand how we can drive change, by showing which actions people are least keen to take, and where they aspire to do more, as well as how behaviour trends are changing over time.

Insights in a nutshell:

Whereas our 2020 and 2021 surveys highlighted attitudes to sustainability during the pandemic, our 2022 survey show behaviour trends related to the cost of living crisis are emerging, such as 41% of people agreeing that the economic landscape has made it more difficult to live a sustainable lifestyle. This is supported by research from Deloitte, which found that the primary barrier to adopting a more sustainable lifestyle was cost. We are likely to see the impact of this in spending choices in 2023, especially related to more costly sustainable behaviours like renewable energy and electric vehicles as people change priorities, so we need to support and share more cost-effective ways to take action.

Almost half of respondents stated that climate change and the future of our planet was a big concern for them, reporting levels of concern similar to previous years. This year's survey showed an increase in negative feelings related to climate change, with feelings such as sadness, anxiety and anger on the rise. This suggests that people are increasingly feeling the impact of the climate crisis.

These growing negative feelings seem to have inspired more action against climate change, as the survey shows a general increase in people's intentions to support each of the six sustainable habits, with most respondents strongly intended to make positive change to protect our planet; 69% strongly intending to cut their waste, 63% intending to choose more durable and reusable products, 60% to choose more circular and recyled products, 55% to be energy smart, 51% to be more nature friendly, and 49% strongly intending to eat more plant based foods. We need to ensure that we're helping people to bridge the "say-do gap" - the positive intentions are there, so now we need to help people to act.

When it comes to taking action, most people feel that national governments are responsible for addressing the climate crisis (54% of respondents chose this option, a 3% increase on last year), with most people agreeing that it's also governments whose actions can have the most impact (29% agreed). This was followed by large organisations (22% believe they can have the most impact), and individuals (22%). 

Values around sustainability

Thinking of climate change, which one of the following describes how you feel about it?

17% said it was the issue/one of the issues I am most concerned about, the same as in 2020 and 2021.

46% stated that it was a big concern for me, compared to 44% in 2020 and 47% in 2021.

15% stated it was a concern but I'm not doing much about it, the same as in 2020 and 2021. 

17% said it is somewhat of a concern to me, compared to 18% in 2020 and 17% in 2021.

3% said it was little or no concern, compared to 4% in 2020 and 2021.

2% said they don't believe in climate change, compared to 2% in 2020 and 0% in 2021.

This shows that attitudes to climate change are remaining consistent over time - and that the split between those taking action and those who aren't is staying the same.

We also asked respondents some questions regarding how the pandemic has affected their beliefs, two years on:

"Covid has made me more aware of global issues"

45% agreed, either somewhat or strongly, compared to 80% in 2020 and 48% in 2021.

"Given all that's going on in the world, I find myself just wanting to go back to basics"

48% agreed, either somewhat or strongly, compared to 79% in 2020 and 53% in 2021.

"I feel the good life is further out of reach than it used to be"

45% agreed, either somewhat or strongly, compared to 62% in 2020 and 45% in 2021.

The data shows that people in 2022 are less likely to agree with the above statements that they were closer to the pandemic's peak, as attitudes ease back into pre-pandemic trends.

Feelings around sustainability

This question provides great insight into the complex emotions that people are currently feeling about climate change.

Since 2020, our feelings around climate change have shifted away from positive feelings like hope and determination, and more towards negative feelings like sadness, anxiety and anger. 

This shows a real need for more action from larger organisations, as well as more empowerment within communities, to help turn climate anxiety into climate action.

Positive feelings:

12% said they were optimistic, hopeful - compared to 17% in 2020 and 13% in 2021

13% said they were determined, motivated - compared to 16% in 2020 and 11% in 2021

2% said they were confident, reassured, calm - compared to 3% in 2020 and 2% in 2021

Negative feelings: 

26% said they were overwhelmed - compared to 28% in 2020 and 25% in 2021

31% said they were sad, upset - compared to 17% in 2020 and 29% in 2021

28% said they were anxious, scared, worried - compared to 15% in 2020 and 27% in 2021

24% said they were angry, frustrated - compared to 12% in 2020 and 23% in 2021

16% said they were resigned - compared to 11% in 2020 and 12% in 2021

12% said they were tired, fatigued - compared to 9% in 2020 and 11% in 2021

9% said they were guilty - the same as in 2020 and 2021

8% said they were sceptical - compared to 7% in 2020

4% said they were bored, indifferent, not interested - compared to 4% in 2020 and 5% in 2021

What people are already doing

How often do you currently behave this way to protect the planet, its people and resources?

Our survey reveals which sustainable behaviours are already in action, and which are less so. 

We asked respondents to say whether they Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely or Never behave this way, in context of the following sustainable actions: 

  • Reduce water and food waste 
  • Recycle and choose products with recycled content, whenever possible 
  • Switch to renewable energy and conserve energy 
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods
  • Purchase durable products, not disposable
  • Choose nature friendly products that protect habitats and biodiversity

23% of our respondents stated that they Always adopt these sustainable behaviours, and 32% of our respondents stated that they Often adopt these sustainable behaviours. 

Out of the 6 sustainable behaviour categories, the following 'always' behave in this way: 

36% always reduce water and food waste, compared to 24% in 2020 and 33% in 2021.

29% always recycle and choose products with recycled content, compared to 18% in 2020 and 26% in 2021.

25% always use renewable energy and conserve energy, compared to 16% in 2020 and 22% in 2021.

25% always eat fruits, vegetables, and plant-based food, compared to 16% in 2020 and 23% in 2021.

23% always purchase durable products rather than disposable, compared to 14% in 2020 and 22% in 2021.

23% always choose nature friendly products that protect habitats and biodiversity, compared to 11% in 2020 and 19% in 2021.

What people intend to do

How much do you intend to behave this way in the future to protect the planet, its people and resources?

We asked respondents to say whether they Strongly intend to do this, Occasionally intend to do this or Never intend to do this, in context of the following sustainable actions: 

  • Reduce water and food waste 
  • Recycle and choose products with recycled content, whenever possible 
  • Switch to renewable energy and conserve energy 
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods
  • Purchase durable products, not disposable 
  • Choose nature friendly products that protect habitats and biodiversity

 

Collectively, we can see that the majority of respondents strongly intend to adopt sustainable behaviours: 

58%  - Strongly intend to do this 

32%  - Occassionally intend to do this

10% - Never intend to do this 

Intentions reveal strong support for: 

69% Strongly intend to reduce water and food waste, compared to 78% in 2020 and 66% in 2021

63% Strongly intend to purchase durable products, not disposables, compared to 69% in 2020 and 58% in 2021

60% Strongly intend to recycle and choose products with recycled content, whenever possible, compared to 53% in 2020 and 58% in 2021

55% Strongly intend to switch to renewable energy and conserve energy, compared to 59% in 2020 and 49% in 2021

51% Strongly intend to choose nature friendly products that protect habitats and biodiversity, compared to 57% in 2020 and 49% in 2021

49% Strongly intend to eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based food, compared to 53% in 2020 and 47% in 2021

 

Where we see a reduction in strong support for certain behaviours when compared to the responses in 2021 to 2020, this may be linked to the increase in the number of people who are already perfoming these behaviours in their everyday life. 

 

Who should be responsible

When it comes to addressing the climate crisis, who do you feel should be responsible?

Respondents were given the following options: 

  • National governments

  • Larger companies and businesses

  • Smaller businesses

  • Local authorities/ cities

  • Individuals, through their everyday choices

  • Individuals, when organised collectively

  • Global organisations and institutions

  • Charities and NGOs

  • The media

  • Other, please specify 

Respondents demonstrated through their answers a theme of shared responsibility with key focus on: 

54% - National government, compared to 51% in 2020 and 2021

14% - Large companies and business, compared to 14% in 2020 and 16% in 2021

14% - Individuals through their everyday choices, compared to 13% in 2020 and 12% in 2021

11% - Global organisations, compared to 9% in 2020 and 10% in 2021

 

Who can have the most impact

When it comes to addressing the climate crisis, which of the following do you believe can have the greatest positive impact?

Respondents were given the following options: 

  • National governments

  • Larger companies and businesses

  • Smaller businesses

  • Local authorities/ cities

  • Individuals, through their everyday choices

  • Individuals, when organised collectively

  • Global organisations and institutions

  • Charities and NGOs

  • The media

  • Other, please specify 

Respondents demonstrated through their answers a theme of shared responsibility, with key focus on: 

29% - National government, compared to 27% in 2020 and 29% in 2021

22% - Large companies and business, compared to 23% in 2020 and 25% in 2021

22% - Individuals through their everyday choices, compared to 19% in 2020 and 15% in 2021

14% - Global organisations, compared to 11% in 2020 and 12% in 2021