Brits ‘voting with their feet’ on progress towards cleaner communities

• E.ON survey of 10,000 people across the UK highlights growing demand for faster pace of sustainable change
• Generations split in attitudes to urgency and scale of response to climate crisis
• Three-fifths of 18-24-year-olds believe green investment improves career opportunities

A growing number of Britons would move home or shift jobs if their communities or companies do not commit to going greener in the next decade, a major survey by E.ON¹ has revealed, with just over one in ten people (13%) saying their local communities are investing enough in becoming more sustainable.

In a sign of growing demand for more sustainable sources of energy – allied to cleaner air in cities and greater investment in greener lifestyles – almost a quarter (23%) of people would consider moving away if their city or town does not become greener. That figure has risen by almost half from a similar nationwide E.ON survey in 2022², when 16% of people made the same claim.

In the workplace more than a quarter (26%) of people said they would be prepared to quit their job if the company didn’t become greener in the next 5 years, rising from around one in five (18%) people in 2022.

E.ON’s study of 10,000 people across the country highlights widespread discontent at the speed investment programmes are being rolled out. More than half (51%) of people don’t think the country is working fast enough to reduce carbon emissions, while fewer than one in ten (8%) feel listened to on decisions around local green investments.

Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: “This survey builds on our 2022 research and shows attitudes and ambitions towards building more sustainable communities are growing year on year, and it’s on all of us across business, public life and within our communities to respond to that clamour for change.

"Investing in sustainability brings so many social benefits and it’s something absolutely everyone can see the value of, whether that’s helping people with lower energy bills, cleaning the air in our streets, or creating the jobs and skills we need for the future. What we call the energy transition has benefits right across society and we have to share that message wider.

“While our study highlights frustration among the public around the speed and scale of sustainable investment, it also demonstrates people understand and really want the benefits such investment will bring. Chief among these is the positive impact on jobs and prosperity.”

Only (10%) of people say they feel proud of the work being done by their local communities to invest in green initiatives. The lowest levels of pride are felt most in the East Midlands (7%), East of England, North East and North West (all 8%).

Fewer than one in ten (8% but up from 7% in 2022) feel listened to when it comes to decision making around local green investments, with that number falling to just 6% in the North, Wales, and across the Midlands.

Across the UK, 60% of adults want more say in how taxpayers’ money is invested in green initiatives for businesses and communities, peaking in the South of England (63%) , London (63%) and Scotland (59%).

74% of people agree environmental change starts with communities or businesses, yet two in five (39% – although a reduction from 46% in 2022) do not think that their region is doing enough to reduce carbon emissions and make life greener.

Londoners led the way among those willing to move to a different area, with more than a third (34%) of capital dwellers threatening to move if their city doesn’t become greener in the next five to ten years.

The top five sustainable improvements people would like to see in their community:

1. Make homes greener and cheaper to run – 55%
2. Reduce the carbon impact of public buildings – 47%
3. Create more green spaces in built up urban areas – 44%
4. Make sure all new building projects are completed to a net-zero standard – 43%
5. Electrify all public transport – 36%

The top sustainable improvements needed from businesses are:

1. Make offices greener (e.g. insulation, solar panels, heat pumps etc) – 43%
2. Make recycling easier – 43%
3. Ban the use of disposable plastic – 31%
4. Commit to only using sustainable suppliers – 28%
5. Invest in local green community projects – 26%
6. Ensure pension providers hold carbon friendly investment portfolios – 21%

E.ON’s data shows the public is optimistic about the transformational impact that green investments³ could have for jobs and prosperity at a local level. This is spearheaded by the younger generation with three fifths (59%) of 18-24-year-olds believing funding for sustainable projects will increase career opportunities within their communities.