A recent poll conducted by London Councils has shown 75% of people living in the capital say the cost-of-living crisis has made it more difficult for them to take action to prevent the climate crisis.
This is the third-year researchers from the council have conducted the poll and the results display 84% of Londoners are concerned about the climate crisis and 72% say their level of concern has increased over the last 12 months.
However, with costs continuing to sore and inflation on the rise, residents in the capital city believe switching to greener energy at the moment is too expensive.
Almost half of the people surveyed claimed it is too costly to replace gas heating with a lower carbon option, such as a heat pump or an electric storage heater. 37% of people also claimed it was too expensive to install solar panels at home.
Although people living in London have concerns about the climate crisis, London Boroughs remain committed to tackling the emergency – 32 boroughs in the capital have now committed to reaching net zero targets before 2050.
Boroughs are also working together across seven climate programmes facilitated by London Councils which include retrofitting London’s homes, securing renewable power and creating a green and resilient city.
In addition, London Councils is working alongside Core Cities, a self-selected and self-financed collaborative advocacy group of large regional cities in the United Kingdom.
It has also joined Connected Places Catapult, the government’s innovation agency for cities, transport and place leadership, to attract capital investment to projects which reduce emissions.
Mayor Philip Glanville, London Councils’ Climate Change, Transport and Environment Lead, said: ‘As we enter the week of COP27, a year on from Glasgow, it is incredibly encouraging to see that across London’s communities, the motivation to take action to address the climate emergency remains undimmed.
‘This year’s polling clearly shows that Londoners continue to recognise that we must take action now, as individuals and on a collective level, to reduce our carbon emissions and adapt to the changing climate.
‘Our research shows that people want to take action to tackle climate change, but see cost as a key barrier, especially in the context of the cost-of-living crisis.
‘We know that investment in climate action helps drive down people’s bills, improves the country’s energy security and climate resilience, and benefits the growth of the economy through green businesses and jobs.’
Photo by Zbynek Burival
Leave a Reply