Almost half of UK households are already using less energy than in 2018 due to more awareness of climate change, research from Igloo Energy has claimed.
Last year saw mass protests from climate activists Extinction Rebellion and increased coverage of the work of Greta Thunberg, hailing what Igloo is calling the “Greta effect”.
The challenger energy supplier conducted a survey in December which found 67 per cent of consumers say they are now more aware of the impact of climate change than they were a year ago.
Specifically, 49 per cent said they are already using less energy than twelve months previously while three in ten (29 per cent) said they plan on using less energy in 2020.
The survey also found that 17 per cent of respondents have dispensed with their tumble dryers, 9 per cent have invested in solar panels and 8 per cent have purchased an electric vehicle (EV).
Matt Clemow, chief executive and co-founder of Igloo Energy, said: “The past twelve months have proved to be pivotal in putting climate change on the national agenda.
“We all have a role to play in helping tackle climate change and small actions can add up to make a big difference.”
Statistics released yesterday (6 January) by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations grew by 144 per cent in 2019 and overtook plug-in hybrids for the first time.
A surge in registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles, which enjoyed a record 7.4 per cent market share, bucked the overall trend of declining new vehicle registrations.