poll: brits reveal support for renewables

Poll: Brits reveal overwhelming support for renewables



UKERC survey finds 82 per cent of people are worried about the UK becoming too dependent on energy from other countries



By BusinessGreen staff

16 Jul 2013


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Solar panel at Fulston Manor in Kent


Around four in five people are worried about the UK becoming too dependent on energy from other countries and want to see a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, a new report has revealed.

Research carried out by a team based at the Universities of Cardiff and Nottingham also found that 74 per cent of people questioned are very or fairly concerned about climate change. The data comes from a series of six in-depth deliberative workshops and a nationally representative survey of 2,441 people conducted by Ipsos MORI and funded by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC).




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The survey shows support for solar and wind energy technology remains high, at 85 per cent and 75 per cent respectively, contrary to reports in the right-wing press, while 81 per cent would like to reduce their energy use.

This contrasts sharply with the finding that over half would oppose the building of a new nuclear power station in their area, while many expressed concern that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology was merely a continuation of the unsustainable practices associated with fossil fuels.

The results suggest the public is in favour of reforms that promote energy efficiency, protect the environment, and fit with a long-term, sustainable trajectory, which the report suggests are factors that energy policies have to take into account if they are to win public support.

However, both the government and energy companies are deemed untrustworthy, which could hamper the planned overhaul of the energy system and the £110bn of investment that is thought to be required.

Professor Nick Pidgeon, who led the research team, said: "Our participants saw the bigger picture of energy system transformation, and they were overwhelmingly committed to moving away from fossil fuels towards renewable forms of energy production, and to lowering energy demand.

"People are more likely to accept changes that show signs of commitment to their underlying values, such as energy system components that are clean, efficient, fair and safe. The public is also keen for policy makers to clarify how current changes to the energy system fit with longer-term plans, and to develop an intelligible and coherent strategy for this."

Juliet Davenport, chief executive of green energy supplier Good Energy, said the results confirmed that there is a significant opportunity available for renewable energy firms.

"It's little surprise that the energy market as it stands continues to be a source of distrust for the public, but what's really exciting is that this research clearly shows how green technology creates the opportunity to turn that around," she said. "Renewable technology is like any other transformational technology; it can break down barriers, open up markets and create new opportunities for new people. But most importantly it can hand control back to the consumer. That's a point that all too often doesn't get recognised enough."