Londoners feel climate change is a significant threat

New polling commissioned by London Councils reveals that seven out of ten Londoners agree that tackling climate change is a priority for the capital.

According to the research, 82 per cent of Londoners are concerned about climate change with half of concerned respondents going further saying they are very concerned. Over half of respondents (52 per cent) feel their day-to-day life in London had been impacted by climate change. Of those that has concerns, 57 per cent said that their level of concern has increased in the last 12 months.

London Councils says that practical actions need to be taken if our city is going to address the climate emergency. The polling reveals that although 46 per cent of Londoners act on smaller day to day decisions, only a quarter act on major purchases with a bigger impact such as buying a house or car. Londoners are willing to live in sustainable housing and travel sustainably, but face cost and availability issues. Only 30 per cent of people are insulating their homes with lack of availability and cost as the main barriers for those who might, were not or were not definitely considering insulating their homes. For those not definitely considering buying an electric or hybrid car, cost was a factor for around a quarter of respondents.

Mayor Philip Glanville, chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, said: “Our new polling drives home the fact that Londoners are becoming more aware of the effects of climate change and that it is having a big impact on our communities. Research has suggested that Londoners need to reduce their consumption-based emissions by two thirds by 2030 to make a fair contribution to avoiding an increase in global temperatures of over 1.5 degrees. This will require significant changes to the way we live, with public support and participation being key to transitioning to a low-carbon economy and lifestyle.

“Climate change is a significant threat to London and Londoners but acting to address it now has significant benefits for public health and wellbeing, as well as social justice issues like fuel poverty and air pollution. With huge consensus on making this a priority, we must act quickly and work together to reduce its severity and ensure a just transition. By being prepared and proactive, we can adapt in the face of the climate emergency to protect London’s future.”