The British population is making a conscious effort to make this year’s Christmas eco-friendlier according to new research from The Green Insurer, which is focused on helping drivers reduce carbon emissions and drive in a more environmentally friendly way. Around three in four (72 per cent) adults say that they plan to take actions to make this festive period more green and eco-friendly.
Reducing food waste by planning meals so that leftovers are not thrown away (cited by 41 per cent of adults) tops the lists of environmentally-friendly actions being taken. This is followed by ensuring that Christmas lights are on a timer and turned off when not in use (38 per cent) and re-gifting any unwanted Christmas presents or passing them on to charity (23 per cent).
Actions taken by consumers to help make Christmas “greener” this year
| Reduce food waste by planning meals to avoid leftovers being thrown away | 41 per cent |
| Make sure Christmas lights are turned off or operated by a timer | 38 per cent |
| Re-gift any unwanted Christmas presents | 23 per cent |
| Choose eco-friendly, non-plastic festive decorations that can be re-used or recycled | 18 per cent |
| Opt for a locally sourced Christmas tree that will be recycled or re-planted | 15 per cent |
| Give gifts from sustainable or eco-friendly brands | 12 per cent |
| Send digital e-cards instead of paper Christmas cards | 11 per cent |
| Choose to travel to Christmas celebrations by public transport instead of driving or taking a flight | 7 per cent |
The findings show that just one in 14 (7 per cent) Brits say that they will take public transport as opposed to driving or flying to Christmas celebrations. This low number may be reflected by the more than one in four (28 per cent) of motorists who say that their decision to use their car is based on concerns about possible delays or cancellations to public transport.
Paul Baxter, CEO, The Green Insurer, said: “This research highlights the growing awareness and action being taken by individuals to combat climate change. By making small, everyday changes we can all collectively make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions.
“However, we also recognise that some will need to get into their cars over the festive period in order to see friends and family. This need to drive is why we launched our car insurance policies with environmentally conscientious drivers in mind. They are particularly attractive to those motorists who need to drive but who have also got concerns about environmental sustainability and who wish to reduce their personal carbon footprint.”
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