Government must lead by example

10 March 2009

A majority in Scotland think climate change is an urgent problem, as urgent as the economy, but they meet practical and economic barriers to greener behavior.

The Scottish Government yesterday presented the findings from the Scottish Attitudes and Behaviours Survey (SEABS) 2008 – a survey asking more than 3000 Scots how important environmental issues are, and how green they live.

The Sustainable Development Commission Scotland welcomes the report as a golden opportunity for the Government to be bold in its policy.

SDC Scotland Director Maf Smith said: "This survey highlights that Scots do understand the importance of reducing our impact on the environment. However there is a large mismatch between what many people know they should be doing and what they actually do. “

The main findings of the survey are that 35% of people think the environment is one of the most important issues facing the world, on a par with the economy. And that the main barriers to green behaviour are cost, convenience, a lack of alternative options and practical considerations.

In his response at the publication of the survey, SDC Scotland Director Smith urged Government to take a long hard look at the impact of its own actions, and whether it is showing sufficient leadership.

Smith said, “This is the time to be bold in creating infrastructure for people to live more environmentally friendly. Government and business need to come together with civil society and start an honest debate about the scale of the challenge we face in making our country sustainable.”

SDC’s work on sustainable consumption and choice editing by authorities and retailers sets out how a significant shift towards more sustainable lifestyles is possible and positive. Facing up to the social and environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle can improve businesses’ competitive edge, as well as benefiting people and the planet. The findings in SEABS-08 are a clear indication that the Government has not put in place the infrastructure to make green choices easy and convenient.

Some green behaviour are now commonplace: Recycling solutions have been much improved with both kerbside collection and recycling banks, and over 60% now use kerbside bottle and can recycling and 40% use other facilities. Over 90% says it is important to use energy saving light bulbs, hang washing up to dry rather than use a tumble drier and turn light off when leaving a room. But these are relatively easy behaviour changes, and the picture is far gloomier when asked about transport, energy efficiency of appliances or general energy use. Over 70% use the same level or more electricity and gas now as compared with a year ago. Flying, even short distances, is seen as the easiest, cheapest and most convenient option, while driving is still the most common mode of transport for commuting and grocery shopping

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Smith said: "If we are going to break out of this impasse we need Government to think more carefully about how it sets an example and how it makes the sustainable choices the common sense choices. The Government must listen to the message that people do not see alternatives to behavior causing carbon emissions and climate change."

The SDC is worried about the significant minority who still seem blissfully unaware of the problems we are facing. 35 % of respondents did not believe their behaviour contributed to climate change, and 13% did not believe climate change is happening or that it is a problem. 22% also thought there was no point in taking action against climate change as it would be cancelled out by what happens elsewhere in the world. These figures give a clear indication that there is still a long way to go.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “We need to do more to get people to see the environment as a local issue. Many people see climate change as a global problem but not as an issue affecting Scotland or their communities. But milder winters and more floods mean the evidence is now on our doorstep and can no longer be ignored.”

“People have to realise that they are a fundamental part of the environment. Just as we impact on it, it has an impact on us. Our own behaviour makes a real difference and the good news is that greener behaviour not only helps save the planet it helps save us money too.”

Please click here for the full SEABS survey

Children's drawings courtesy of WWF Scotland from The Children's Climate Challenge Project 2008. For more information on the project please visit WWF Scotland

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