NEW RESEARCH shows that Reading residents are eager to see faster action to tackle climate change and less likely to believe misinformation about sustainability.
Figures released by Opinium shows that residents surveyed were keen for the country to meet a number of climate goals and want more integration of sustainable initiatives in public housing and projects.
The research was commissioned by renewable energy supplier Good Energy and surveyed a sample of more than 2,500 people in the UK, 100 of which were Reading residents.
Of those surveyed, nearly three quarters (71%) said they agreed that the UK should aim for full adoption of low-carbon initiatives by 2030.
More than two thirds (67%) said they thought that reaching net-zero would be beneficial for the company.
Of those surveyed, three quarters felt that new homes should be fitted with solar panels and 62% said they wpuld consider installing solar panels on their own homes.
Nearly two thirds (64%) felt that the UK was not moving fast enough to reach its climate goals, and the poll also found that Reading residents were less likely to believe misinformation about heat pumps than the national average.
While nearly one in five (19%) believed the myth that heat pumps are louder than domestic fridges, compared to nearly one in four nationally, and only one in ten believed that they don;t work in the cold, compared to 15% nationally.
Almost half (49%) recognised that, while being more expensive upfront, many green energy options were cheaper in the long term, higher than the national average of 37%.
Half also said that they had been let down by their heating in the last five years.
Good Energy installations manager Ben Wheeler said: “People are constantly surprised when we break down the myths and misinformation around heat pumps, so it’s great to see such a high percentage of people in Reading already have a good understanding of the facts.
“It was particularly pleasing to see higher than average recognition that switching to a cleaner and greener future isn’t just good for the planet – it’s also going to save them money.”
Good Energy supplies 100% renewable energy and energy services innovation, and aims to support a million homes and businesses in cutting energy and transport use by 2025.
More information about Good Energy, as well as further information about green energy myths, is available via: goodenergy.co.uk
