Our latest How We Live report looks at how green habits are affecting people’s everyday lives, career aspirations, holidays, transport plans and future homes .
By Sarah Lewis
Green behaviours
- Two-thirds of UK adults feel guilty for carrying out environmentally unfriendly actions.
- People’s green actions have increased after falling during the pandemic – but under-25s still lag behind.
- More than half of UK adults have witnessed green “virtue signalling” from others.
Career plans
- Three fifths of UK workers would consider moving to a greener role.
- Engineering, finance and IT workers are among the keenest to make a greener move.
- Almost-two thirds of workers (64%) would consider taking a pay cut if a new role offered other benefits
Green holiday plans
- Nearly a quarter of UK holidaymakers say they travel by boat or train to reduce carbon footprint.
- Two-thirds of UK holidaymakers are seeking greener travel options.
- A third of UK travellers are taking less luggage to reduce their environmental impact.
Pre-loved purchases and make-do and mend
- Books in UK more likely to be bought second-hand than new.
- Under-25s up to twice as likely to buy pre-owned items than other age groups.
- Nine out of 10 UK consumers repair damaged items rather than replacing.
Greener transport plans
- The number of people planning to buy a hybrid model for their next vehicle is now higher than those intending to purchase a petrol model (36% vs 29%).
- Research shows an 11-fold increase in people planning to buy a fully electric vehicle (since 2017).
- Seven in 10 UK adults say they are making a conscious effort to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport.
Greener homes
- Two-thirds of UK home buyers would consider purchasing an eco-property.
- Half of UK residents would consider installing a heat-pump in their homes.
- Around three fifths (58%) of UK adults would consider installing solar panels at their homes.