Our approach to environmental sustainability

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  1. 1. Our approach to environmental sustainability
  2. 2. You are here: Environmental Sustainability Survey 2022

2. Environmental Sustainability Survey 2022

Overview of key findings from the Environmental sustainability consultation, July 2022.

Executive Summary

General

  • A resident’s survey asking about sustainability ran throughout March 2022
  • Participants were invited via email, and a link was published in our borough newsletter and via social media channels
  • 1,079 responses were received, with a good spread across genders and age groups, although the youngest (18-24) were under-represented (13 out of a target of 90)
  • 71% of respondents were homeowners in detached (37%) and semi-detached (34%) houses

Headline findings

Energy

  • Good uptake of energy efficiency measures (insulation), less on low-carbon energy (green tariffs, heat pumps, solar)
  • High awareness of heat pumps and solar but no plans to install, low awareness of green tariffs
  • Main barrier to most home energy measures is cost, followed by perceived lack of ROI and not enough knowledge about how to implement
  • Nearly half of respondents have high levels of confidence in making changes to their home to reduce energy use

Water

  • Good uptake of some water measures (dual-flush toilets, water butts and water-efficient shower heads)
  • Limited knowledge around flow-restrictors

Travel

  • 38% typically (for shops/work/school) use a car, and 80% of cars are petrol or diesel (9% electric or hybrid-electric)
  • 33% typically use active forms of transport (28% walking, 5% cycling), with 23% usually using public transport (15% train, 8% bus)
  • The main barriers to purchasing electric vehicles are cost, range and availability of charge points

Waste

  • 79% recycle all they can through the council; 66% use kerbside food waste recycling for all food waste (18% don’t use this service at all)

Garden

  • 85% have a garden or courtyard area; more than half of respondents already do some form of ‘green gardening’; barriers include cost, lack of time or someone else’s responsibility

Demographics

Gender

50% male. 49% female. 1% prefer not to say

Age

1% are 18 to 24 years old. 13% are 25 to 34 years old. 20% are 35 to 44 years old. 20% are 45 to 54 years old. 18% are 55 to 64 years old. 16% are 65 to 74 years old. 10% are 75 to 84 years old. 1% are over 85. 1% prefer not to say.

House type

Detached 37%. Semi-detached 34%. Flat 15%. Terraced 12%. Other 2%. Park home 0%. Prefer not to say 0%.

Contact

Email: Sustainability@reigate-banstead.gov.uk