Corporate and government efforts to inform consumers
about climate change are falling on deaf ears, with barely one in
ten people in the UK and US believing what they say on the
issue.
The startling findings are published as part of a
joint study by Consumers International (CI) and AccountAbility.
The study also shows that three quarters of those surveyed felt
unable to alter their purchasing habits to reduce their personal
carbon footprint.
The What Assures Consumers? project
The project canvassed 2,734 people in the UK and USA in March
2007. Together with an online survey, we conducted:
- interviews with US and UK consumers, and
- case interviews with businesses, lobbyists, civil society and
public sector officials.
The study reveals startling facts
- Only 10% of consumers trust what companies and government tell
them about global warming
- Corporate and government efforts to inform consumers on climate
change are falling on deaf ears, with barely one in ten people in
the UK and US believing what they say on the issue.
- Consumers have little faith in celebrities and the media to
provide information on climate change, and would rather seek advice
from friends and family, environmental groups and scientists.
Paralysed to act
Our study reveals that 75% of consumers, although concerned
about how their consumption effects climate change, feel paralysed
to act beyond small changes around the home (such as turning off
standby modes and converting to energy-efficient lightbulbs).
Immediate actions should include:
- Leading by example: National, political and
cultural figures need to act as green role models, to assure
consumers they can and should take action.
- Strengthening of standards: Product labels and
indicators about climate change must be clear, comprehensive and
independently verified if consumers are to trust the claims being
made by businesses.
- Reducing unhelpful choice: Choice reduction
policies should be developed for all high impact consumer products
and services where viable alternatives exist.
- Establishing individual rights and
responsibilities: Widespread agreement on what constitutes
a sustainable lifestyle must be legislated for by 2015. Personal
carbon allowances must be considered as a key policy tool for
achieving this.