Increased consumer awareness for sustainable solutions and their benefits, better regulation and financial incentives are likely to have the most impact on the UK’s ability to meet its carbon reduction targets, according to a recent survey conducted by Saint-Gobain.

Conducted with Ecobuild 2013 visitors, the survey found that 25 percent of respondents believe increased consumer awareness would have the most impact, with 21 percent opting for better regulation and 20 percent for financial incentives. Fourteen percent thought new product and technological innovation would have the most impact and 11 percent, industry training.

Respondents also believe that changes in consumer behaviour would have the least impact with just 9 percent mentioning this as the most important driver for change.

In addition, the survey found:

  • Only 33 percent of respondents think there is any chance that the UK can now meet its 2050 carbon reduction targets
  • 76 percent of people believe that in the current economic climate, price is more important than environmental performance
  • More than three quarters of visitors (78 percent) felt that whole-life carbon calculations should become compulsory
  • 69 percent believe the current government is not the greenest ever.

To listen to the opinions of individual survey respondents, visit Saint-Gobain’s YouTube channel and view the Ecobuild videos.