Public can easily alter attitudes and behaviour

The changing perception and awareness toward climate change have meant that the public is seeking ways to mitigate individual impacts on global warming, but the road ahead is hard as there are some habits which will be extremely hard to break as they involve personal consequences for the individual and family unit.

The first step towards understanding how to achieve a personal goal toward netzero is to use one of the many, freely available “carbon calculators” on the internet.

By inputting your current habits relating to working, commuting, leisure, shopping, eating, travel and holidaying, they show the user the carbon footprint of those activities and suggest changes. While the changes need not be wholesale and large, the cumulative effect can be altogether significant. For example:

Reducing the number of times you visit a supermarket.

Reducing portions to reduce food wastage.

Recycling plastics, food, metals where possible.

Switching to greener and renewable energy providers.

Taking advantage of home insulation grants to reduce energy wastage.

Not leaving devices around the home on standby or constantly charging.

Walking or cycling for shorter trips; ride sharing or using public transport for longer trips.

Switching fleet cars to an EV or hybrid alternative from diesel where possible.

Reducing business air travel and opting for alternative holiday destinations with providers in a carbon-offset scheme.

Many of the changes do not need to be adopted all at once – small changes which do not upset a routine or equilibrium will lead to acceptance and also being adopted as the new norm. The pandemic has shown that the public can make changes to their daily lives for the better.

However, it is not all down to the public to help the UK achieve its net-zero targets.

Research has already shown that 100 corporations account for 71 per cent of the global emissions responsible for climate change, so the burden of accountability lies with organisations to not only lead the way in making changes a reality but also to offer real sustainable and renewable choices to consumers and the general

“Small changes which do not upset a routine will lead to acceptance and also them being adopted as the new norm”

public at large to move them away from previous habits.

And it is for the government to support those choices with measured incentives that reinforce the positive steps.

Ultimately, it is the collective responsibility of the general public together with the corporations and government that will help the UK achieve its net-zero goals, but the reality is one that the public must be offered the consultation and choices in advance to make those decisions that change their habits – without that choice and inclusion in the process, there are no decisions to make.