Blog Post

Majority of UK public unwilling to pay higher energy bills to achieve NetZero carbon emissions target

Richard Simmonds • Oct 05, 2020

A new survey has revealed that the majority of the UK public are sceptical that the government’s goal of creating a NetZero carbon economy will be achieved by 2050.

The report

The survey which was conducted by independent thinktank Bright Blue interviewed 3,002 adults about whether they thought the 2050 goal was achievable. 58% of those questioned said that they believe the target will not be achieved.

While the majority support the objective of creating a NetZero economy and back measures to tackle pollution and the impacts of climate change, they are doubtful that the government and energy sector can pull it off.

Doubts over the massive costs, required infrastructure and rising energy bills required to hit the target grow were the biggest causes for concern.

Changing lifestyles

82% of those surveyed believe that the government is primarily responsible for ensuring that the goal can be hit and 82% also believe that it is the responsibility of businesses to clean up their acts.

74% believe that the public has to take responsibility for cleaning up their environment and helping to reduce carbon emissions but a tenth of those surveyed also believed that the drive toward NetZero would not require them to make any changes to their lifestyles.

The majority did however agree that they will have to recycle more, use items for longer and to better insulate their homes.

To hit NetZero the entire population will feel the effects. The massive infrastructure projects needed to implement the technology required to hit the target such as providing every home with new heat pumps and electric car charging stations will cause disruption not to mention the massive cost (some forecasters have predicted the NetZero push will cost trillions of pounds).

Energy Price Rises

With the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns inflicting huge damage upon the UK economy and with many people concerned over their financial stability it is little surprise that the majority see the Netzero target as a secondary concern.

The Bright Blue survey shows that the public is divided as to whether they are willing to pay more on products and services to achieve lower emissions.

As with most issues, the NetZero and climate one comes down to the haves and have nots. Why would people struggling to feed their families or pay for a roof over their head care about NetZero? The wealthy on the other hand are much more inclined to do so as they have the free capital to pay more, and it is they that are shouting the loudest about climate issues.

Many energy suppliers are reporting that they’ve seen a rise in the number of their customers struggling to pay their energy bills and this is happening even before the extra costs required for NetZero programmes have been included.

Household electricity and heating will face price increases as a result of NetZero but the majority of people (52%) say they are unwilling to pay energy suppliers more for them to attain lower emissions.

Low awareness

Much has been written about electric cars etc when it comes to NetZero, but the survey makes clear that the majority of the public have very low awareness of the technologies that already exist to help reduce carbon emissions.

Energy suppliers could do more to inform their customers of the low-carbon options for heating. The survey shows that despite recent calls for increasing heat pump installations and replacing all gas boilers with alternatives just 44% are even aware such technology even exists.

As expected, the public put cost, functionality, and ease of use over green issues. Energy suppliers could highlight the benefits of these cleaner technologies in each of these areas.

While the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a motivating factor for installing a new home heating system, running costs (83%), having reliable information (82%), cost of replacement (80%), ease of procuring and installation (77%), and ownership (71%) are far more important.

‘Radical Action’ will be needed to hit the target

Anvar Sarygulov, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue and report author, commented:

“The changes that need to be made by individuals, businesses and government to help achieve net-zero are demanding and disruptive.

“The public recognises that the government, businesses, and individuals themselves have a lot to contribute to help Britain achieve its climate change goals and are receptive to a variety of policies and behavioural changes to help make it happen. However, if it means increased prices on home electricity and heating, the public is opposed to action.

“Ambitious, sometimes radical, action will be needed across economic sectors. The public will need to accept and adapt to, significant changes in the goods and services they consume.

“Many are still unaware of and unprepared for the changes required, especially in the way they heat their homes, to ensure we can reach net zero by 2050. Government and businesses must do more to inform and prepare the public for the changes that need to happen, or they risk the public turning against necessary decarbonisation.”

Only a strong economy with high employment and financial security will make the transition to a NetZero economy viable, something the government and organisations with vested interests need to remember if the 2050 target is to be realistically achievable.