British public list their climate concerns ahead of 10:10’s summit with
energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne

Monday, 7^th June, 2010: A poll by climate campaign 10:10 has found energy wasted by offices and shops on unnecessary lighting to be the biggest environmental gripe amongst the British public – and something they want government to act on when it comes to reviewing climate legislation.

55% of those questioned in an online survey by 10:10, which is helping all areas of society cut carbon emissions by 10%, listed lit-yet-empty buildings as their top environmental pet peeve. The 70,000 people signed up to 10:10 were asked to list their carbon concerns, with 50% of respondents saying they’d like government to do more to help the elderly insulate their home and reduce their energy bills.

Interestingly, 48% of respondents said they’d like the government to move the clocks forward by one hour, thus creating lighter evenings. This is something 10:10’s Lighter Later campaign has been pushing for, as it would result in 500,000 less tonnes of CO₂ being pumped into the atmosphere each year, as well as boosting the leisure and tourism industry and reducing the number of deaths on the country’s roads.

48% also urged government to work towards a clean energy grid for Europe, while 33% voted for tightening up the European carbon trading market. 30% of those polled said they wanted a fridge scrappage scheme set up, similar to that used for cars.

The findings come ahead of, and will form the agenda for, 10:10’s planned meeting with energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne MP, which follows last month’s announcement that the Con-Lib coalition had signed the whole of central government up to 10:10, pledging to cut emissions in all government departments by 10% in the next 12 months.

In the summit, Chris will be quizzed on how the government plans to fulfil its commitment, in addition to the points listed above.

While those questioned were asked to select multiple agenda items from a list, they also contributed their own suggestions for the meeting. Among them were: more investment in renewable energy; more subsidies to refit existing buildings; a funding boost for public transport; a drive to help business be more energy efficient; and a reduction in non-essential motorway and street lighting.

10:10 UK campaign director Eugenie Harvey said: “Turning off the lights is common sense, but with so many people doing all they can to cut their carbon it’s truly galling to see massive offices lit up like Christmas trees with nobody inside. While many businesses are happy to be seen to be environmentally aware, it’s clear that many haven’t got the message and are still failing to do the simplest and most basic things to reduce their emissions and save money.”

ABOUT 10:10

10:10 is an ambitious project to unite every sector of society behind one simple idea: we work together to achieve a 10% cut in carbon emissions in 2010.

10:10 was conceived by the team behind climate blockbuster The Age Of Stupid and is run by a small independent team, supported by an army of volunteers and a dream team of partner organisations including Comic Relief, the Energy Saving Trust, the Carbon Trust, the Public Interest Research Centre and many more. Low-carbon printer manufacturer Kyocera Mitaand Eaga, the UK’s largest supplier of heating and renewable energy, were the campaign’s original sponsors.

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by bringing individual actions together under one banner, 10:10 enables everyone to make a meaningful difference. Launched in September 2009, the campaign has, to date, garnered the support of over 70,000 individuals and more than 2,500 businesses, including household names such as Sony, Adidasand Microsoft.  In addition, celebrities ranging from Sienna Millerto Bill BaileytoDaisy Lowehave all voiced their support.

10:10 has been making waves in both central and local government, with the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreeing to cut emissions by 10% within days of coming to power, and 43% of the UK currently covered by a council signed up to 10:10.

Each month 10:10focuses on different ways to reduce your carbon emissions, offering expert advice on everything from insulation to recycling. In addition, 10:10has joined forces with 350.org – who last year orchestrated 5,200 environment events in 181 countries – to coordinate the biggest-ever global day of action on climate change, on 10^th October, 2010 (10:10:10).

For further information visit: www.1010uk.org