Introducing our Greener Living Report
A guide to the eco-driven changes the nation is making
24th March 2022
The UK’s attitude towards the environment is changing. Whether it’s ocean pollution, extreme weather or via the voices of people like Sir David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, climate change is asking big questions of us all. And people are beginning to respond.
It’s not just about attitude – it’s about action
Did you know that 35% of people in the UK are thinking about moving onto a greener energy tariff? Or that 55% of UK adults are happy to pay more for greener products?
Times are changing – and to get a deeper understanding of how shifting attitudes towards the environment are impacting people’s daily lives, we interviewed over 2,000 adults, researched Google search volumes and analysed emerging trends across social media. The result is our Greener Living Report.
Download it below to find out more about the sustainability trends shaping how we’re living today – and where we might be heading tomorrow.
Wondering what changes to make?
Our report highlights lots of everyday changes people are making and below we’ve picked out five of the big ones – from using new tech to changing old habits.
To EV or not to EV?
Our research showed that 24% of UK adults are considering replacing their current vehicle with an EV, with the environment being the main reason. Cost is a factor too, with over a third of the people we surveyed, saying that EVs are more affordable in the long run.
By the end of 2022, it’s predicted that one in every ten cars in the UK will be electric and more energy companies are offering special tariffs for EV owners. Our EV tariff gives people cheaper, off-peak electricity between 12am and 5am so they can charge their car for less.
Worried about where to charge?
40% of people considering buying an EV are worried about a lack of public charge points. But did you know you can get them installed easily at home?
Hive, who are part of the British Gas family, have a fast charger that syncs with your energy tariff so you charge at the cheapest times. Plus it’s all managed through the Hive app.
More and more public charge points are springing up all the time but having one at home really does help reduce what EV drivers call “range anxiety.”
Getting a handle on your heating
Smart technology is transforming people’s homes in all kinds of ways – and one of the big benefits is lowering energy bills.
Hive’s smart thermostats help thousands of people in the UK do exactly that by connecting to your home WiFi – so you can control your heating from your smartphone or tablet. This means you can turn your heating off (or on) from wherever you are, so far less energy is wasted.
For many people, the upfront cost of a smart thermostat is well worth it because long-term it can help save on energy bills.
From smart tech to using energy smarter
One of the most obvious ways to lower your carbon footprint is to use less energy. This saves money too – and with energy prices rising, we appreciate that’s a priority for many of our customers.
Smart meters are a great way to take control of your energy spend. They show you exactly how much energy you’re using and help you stick to a monthly energy budget. Plus they come at no extra cost to you. If you haven’t got one yet, now is the time.
The road to Net Zero
Our Greener Living Report clearly shows that, as a nation, we’re beginning to respond to the challenge of the climate crisis. It’s a long road ahead but there’s no doubt these are positive steps forward.
At British Gas, we have a big role to play and in the last decade we’ve managed to reduce our carbon emissions by 80%. Looking ahead, the plan is to be a net zero business by 2045 and help our customers be net zero by 2050.
Today, all the fixed tariff energy we supply is zero carbon as standard, so we’re heading in the right direction – but know there’s plenty of work still to do.