Most Londoners are motivated to prevent climate change but are struggling to reduce carbon emissions because of the cost-of-living crisis, a new survey reveals as national leaders meet for COP28.
Three-quarters of Londoners (73%) say that the current squeeze on their finances has made it more difficult to adopt greener heating or energy options, a poll commissioned by London Councils has found.
Nearly a third (29%) of the over 1,000 people surveyed said it was too expensive to replace gas heating with a lower carbon option, such as heat pump or electric storage heaters, and 34% said it was too expensive to install solar panels.
Nearly a quarter (23%) of the respondents agreed it was too expensive to insulate their homes.
However, the poll, which was carried out for the cross-party organisation by Kantar, did find that 90% of Londoners were motivated to help prevent climate change, and 60% said they would do more if it helped them reduce costs.
Cllr Kieron Williams, London Councils’ executive member for Climate Change, Transport and Environment, said: ‘It is sobering to see that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis prevents Londoners from taking action on issues that are important to them, such an investing in climate action.’
He added: ‘By committing to a London warm and green homes upgrade, we can bring down people’s energy usage, which in turn reduces bills and tackles fuel poverty. This is just one of the ways that climate action can contribute to equity and help disadvantaged Londoners.’
For more on local government and climate change, check out the following features, 'Turning pensions into fossil fuel playthings' and 'Time for local authorities to "right-size" their offices?'
