By Martin Williams Senior News Reporter
SCOTS consumers back plans for net zero emissions by 2045, but are ‘in the
dark’ over the challenges it will pose in their own lives despite high
profile campaigns, new research has found.
Just 65 per cent had no identifiable energy efficiency measures or
renewable technologies installed in their home, a Citizens Advice Scotland
study has revealed.
Research for the charity from YouGov found that 68 per cent of Scottish
adults supported moves towards net zero by 2045, with 41 per cent believing
that reducing the impact of climate change should become more of a priority
for the Scottish Government moving beyond Covid. And 59 per cent thought
making homes more energy efficient should be prioritised in the Scottish
Government’s climate response.
But only 17 per cent believe that reducing water usage should be a
priority, despite the fact that water heating accounts for five per cent of
all UK carbon emissions – the same amount as the aviation industry.
And 90 per cent were not aware most homes and businesses would need to
replace their gas heating systems with an alternative source of heating,
like heat pumps, if Scotland were to reduce its reliance on ‘blue’ hydrogen
to meet its climate change commitments Blue hydrogen is created from fossil
fuel sources, where the carbon emissions are captured and stored. Green
hydrogen is made from non-fossil sources.
People across Scotland have been urged to help tackle the climate emergency
ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year.
A major TV, radio and digital campaign called Let’s do Net Zero has been
launched to highlight the benefits a net-zero society would bring to the
economy, health and the environment.
It also aims to raise awareness of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Scottish government has set itself a legally-binding target to cut
greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the date
set for the UK as a whole.
But in June it emerged it had again missed its target for reducing
emissions. Figures for 2019 show they fell 51.5% against the baseline, well
short of the 55% target.
CAS respondents were asked what might concern them if they were considering
installing a low carbon heating system.
Cost was the biggest concern, with 67 per cent concerned about high
up-front costs and 55 per cent concerned about higher energy bills.
A majority of respondents said that non repayable grants would encourage
them to play their part in net zero, with 55 per cent of people saying they
would be encouraged to install low carbon heating if they were offered
non-repayable grants that covered part of the cost, and 62 per cent saying
it would encourage them to install energy efficiency measures in their home
generally.
Council tax rebates in the years following installation were also seen as
measures that could be seen as encouraging consumers to switch to low
carbon heating systems.
CAS fair markest spokesman Kate Morrison said: “Later this year the eyes of
the world will be on Scotland as Glasgow hosts COP 26, and this new
briefing from Citizens Advice Scotland gives us a clear insight into how
Scottish consumers view climate change.
“The good news is clear support for action towards net zero, and support
for energy efficiency in people’s homes being made more of a priority.
“However, consumers are in the dark over the impact of net zero on their
own lives, particularly when it comes to heating their homes.
“Most people did not realise use of natural gas would have to be phased out
or reduced massively, and would not pick low carbon heating systems as a
measure they should take to reduce their carbon footprint.
“This really matters because changing to low carbon heating will be
essential if Scotland is to meet our emissions targets.”
The Scottish government has a five-year £62m energy transition fund which
has already provided £6.5m for a global underwater hub as well as £4.65m to
Aberdeen City Council to expand its hydrogen bus fleet.
Ms Morrison added: “When people did realise low carbon heating was
important, concerns switched to costs – whether the upfront cost of
installation or potentially higher energy bills.
“These concerns are totally understandable, but as we’ve seen in the recent
Climate Change Committee reports, the reality is that not acting in time
will result in consumers having to pay even more in the future.
“Policymakers need to understand what these findings mean for our journey
to net zero, and have an honest conversation with the public of the role we
have to play.
“While governments need to drive this change, it won’t happen without
consumers understanding their role, and the impact it will have upon their
lives.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are wholly committed to becoming
a net-zero economy by 2045 at the latest but meeting Scotland’s
world-leading climate targets will require a truly national endeavour. This
will require all aspects of Scottish society to embrace significant changes
in order for us to meet our ambitious targets.
“The journey to net-zero will transform every aspect of our lives: how we
live, how we work, how we travel. It presents huge potential for us to
seize the opportunities that becoming a net-zero society presents – growing
our economy, improving our health and wellbeing whilst protecting and
enhancing Scotland’s iconic natural environment.
“2021 is a vital year for climate action and COP26 in Glasgow puts Scotland
centre stage. We’ll demonstrate the climate action Scotland is taking, the
ways in which we put people and wellbeing at the heart of all we do, and
how our Scottish values underpin our place in the world. The time for
action is now. It is the people living on this planet, at this moment, who
can secure the future of our climate for the next generations.
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