Over half of adults feel ‘green guilt’ while at work

61% of adults experience feelings of guilt for the environmental impact of the industry or job they work in, according to a study commissioned by Perkbox Insights. 

Perkbox commissioned a survey on 1,864 individuals in order to assess feelings of environmental guilt, they defined green guilt as a phenomenon that has stemmed from the extensive environmental consequences of modern life.

According to the survey 89% of adults have at some point or another felt green guilt.

Almost a quarter of those employed have said that their workplace doesn’t focus on acting sustainably with 14% feeling that it’s hard to make a difference as their company doesn’t ask for feedback.

As a result of this, one in ten people said they have considered changing their career.

On an industry level, the retail, catering, and leisure industries have been found to be the most likely to cause their employees to experience these feelings of guilt, with 80% of those who work in these industries feeling guilty about the impact that their work has on the environment.

This is followed by 18% of people who work in the travel and transport industry.

The factors most likely to induce feelings of green guilt are the use of unnecessary plastic, alongside wasting food and other products.

78% of those surveyed said they feel guilty for unnecessary use of plastic, 72% for wasting food and 57% for wasting products.

Despite these feelings of guilt, on the whole, the UK feels positive about trying to live sustainability (57%), but almost a quarter feel overwhelmed and stressed by trying to live in this way and 8% feel helpless.

Earlier this year, a similar survey by Natural England’s annual Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) has revealed that more people than ever before are worried about threats to the natural environment.

The survey revealed that nine in 10 people are concerned about damage to nature.

The survey, which was described as the ‘world’s biggest scientific study of its kind’, found that while people are spending more time outdoors than ever before, inequality in access persists as people living in deprived areas are less likely to regularly spend time outside.

Photo Credit – Pixabay