BIG ISSUES

It’s clear that sustainability issues weigh heavily on your minds in 2021 – and many of you share the same concerns. When we asked you the environmental issues that were the most pressing, plastic pollution (72%) and climate change (66%) were the ones that polled highest on the list. This reflects the findings of research carried out last year by Deloitte, which showed that the over-45s are most likely to be cutting use of single-use plastic and are also trying to reduce carbon footprints. You also told us you were worried about the threat to wildlife and the damage being done to the natural world, with deforestation and extinction a concern for 59% and 57% of you, respectively.

While these are big issues, you also told us overwhelmingly that you feel empowered to tackle them – and a whole range of other green issues to boot. In fact, four fifths of you (81%) said you believe that you can make a difference to environmental issues and that the everyday choices you make have an impact, and you are also highly motivated to make changes for the better. A massive 81% of you said you would compromise on your lifestyle for the good of the planet and 71% said you would pay a little more for environmentally friendly products and services.

Tanya Steele, CEO of the environmental charity WWF, says individual changes can have real collective impact. ‘Whether you switch your energy supplier to one that only uses renewable power, move your money to a bank or pension provider that doesn’t invest in oil, coal and gas companies or eat more plant-based meals, every small action we take can add up to make a big difference for our planet,’ she says. ‘Using our voices as consumers also sends signals to decision-makers to listen.’