Moneyzine.co.uk has analyzed a recent government report to reveal that around 40% of British people cite poor reliability, regularity and convenience as the main barriers to using greener forms of transport.
Roughly the same number also pointed to high prices, while over a quarter said they had too far or too long to travel to consider greener options. This is despite the fact that over 75% of Brits say switching to greener forms of transport are very or somewhat important to tackling climate change.
Over 70s less concerned about green transport
Breaking down the data by age groups, Moneyzine.co.uk can reveal that more people aged 30-49 (78%) felt switching to greener transport options was important to fighting climate change than any other age group. Interestingly, despite the common perception that climate change is a young person’s fight, more people aged 16-29 (8%) believed switching to greener transport was either somewhat unimportant or not at all important.
The poor standards of public transport were the most significant barrier for all age groups except those aged 30-49, where it was tied with the high costs. Just under one in ten of all age groups said they simply weren’t interested in using greener forms of transport - though the numbers were slightly higher for those aged over 50.
Women feel stronger than men about green transport
Looking at a gender breakdown, we can see that one in twenty women felt switching to greener transport was either somewhat unimportant or not important at all, compared to almost one in ten men. At the same time, almost 4 in 5 women felt switching to greener forms of transport was very or somewhat important, compared to less than 3 in 4 men.
More men (40%) felt price was a barrier to using green transport than women (39%), and more felt there weren’t enough charging points for electric vehicles (16% vs 13% respectively). However, more women cited long travel distances (31% of women vs 25% of men), lack of reliability, regularity and convenience (44% vs 38%) and stations being too far apart (25% vs 22%).
Words vs action
Climate change has been a hot topic for decades, as the effects of global warming become more apparent and widespread. In fact, in the UK three in four adults report feeling worried about climate change.
However, when it comes to actually making an effort to change, it seems fewer people are willing to take action. In a recent government survey analyzed by Moneyzine.co.uk, it was revealed that 42% of people wouldn’t be willing to walk, cycle or use public transport to save the environment.
This is far more than the 25% who would be willing to do this, and the 15% that are already doing this. The numbers are a little different for electric cars, showing that perhaps more sustainable private transport is the answer for Brits.
24% of people weren’t willing to switch to an electric car, and although only 5% of people are already going this, 40% of people said they would be willing to.
Interestingly, public transport and cycling wasn’t the most unpopular option for Brits when it comes to saving the environment - 45% wouldn’t be willing to pay significantly more for meat and dairy, while 62% wouldn’t cut it out completely.
Many of us talk about what needs to be done, or what we might be willing to do - but actually following through and doing it is what makes the difference. Electric cars can save anywhere from 37% to 83% in emissions compared to petrol cars - but fewer cars on the road in general can only be a good thing. It’s down to the government too - if poor public transport standards are a significant barrier, it’s up to them to improve things in a sustainable way.Jonathan Merry CEO of Moneyzine.co.uk
