Veolia study reveals UK’s climate concerns, highlights renewable energy solutions
A new study by Veolia and YouGov revealed 77% of UK adults believe limiting climate change is the responsibility of the current generation and its leaders.
The survey showed two in five UK adults said their concern about carbon in 2020 had grown over the last five years. Despite some growing concern, only 17% of those asked had faith in the UK reaching its net-zero targets by 2050.
Carbon emissions are one of the biggest contributors to global warming and the UK Government has pledged its support to alternate low carbon and renewable energy solutions through the Resources and Waste Strategy and the Green Heat Network Fund.
The survey showed the public believe it is everyone’s responsibility to help cut carbon ranging from the UK Government (27%) to consumers (17%) to the energy industry (20%) and UK business (10%).
Tim Duret, director of sustainable technology at Veolia UK and Ireland, said: “Reducing our carbon emissions is a key way to stop global warming and limit the damage we are doing to the environment.
“When asked what the biggest issue was facing us right now, only 22% of people said climate change. We need to change the narrative, protecting our planet needs to be at the top of everyone’s agenda and as an industry, we are working alongside the government to make sure that the only option is the carbon-neutral option.
“Through innovation, we can use our resources, our sludge, our waste, our wind, our biomass to create clean energy. We must stop looking at renewable and low-carbon energy as luxury choices, and look at them being the only option for a decarbonised future.”
Veolia now manages 500 MWe of low carbon and renewable energy – enough to power 1.2 million homes. Veolia’s energy activities annually achieve CO2 reductions of around 400,000 tonnes for customers through efficient on-site generation of low-carbon and renewable electricity, heat, and cooling.
The firm also manages the processes that transform food waste, non-recyclable waste, and sewage into renewable energy and produces enough renewable electricity to power 160,000 homes.
The survey showed two in five UK adults said their concern about carbon in 2020 had grown over the last five years. Despite some growing concern, only 17% of those asked had faith in the UK reaching its net-zero targets by 2050.
Carbon emissions are one of the biggest contributors to global warming and the UK Government has pledged its support to alternate low carbon and renewable energy solutions through the Resources and Waste Strategy and the Green Heat Network Fund.
The survey showed the public believe it is everyone’s responsibility to help cut carbon ranging from the UK Government (27%) to consumers (17%) to the energy industry (20%) and UK business (10%).
Tim Duret, director of sustainable technology at Veolia UK and Ireland, said: “Reducing our carbon emissions is a key way to stop global warming and limit the damage we are doing to the environment.
“When asked what the biggest issue was facing us right now, only 22% of people said climate change. We need to change the narrative, protecting our planet needs to be at the top of everyone’s agenda and as an industry, we are working alongside the government to make sure that the only option is the carbon-neutral option.
“Through innovation, we can use our resources, our sludge, our waste, our wind, our biomass to create clean energy. We must stop looking at renewable and low-carbon energy as luxury choices, and look at them being the only option for a decarbonised future.”
Veolia now manages 500 MWe of low carbon and renewable energy – enough to power 1.2 million homes. Veolia’s energy activities annually achieve CO2 reductions of around 400,000 tonnes for customers through efficient on-site generation of low-carbon and renewable electricity, heat, and cooling.
The firm also manages the processes that transform food waste, non-recyclable waste, and sewage into renewable energy and produces enough renewable electricity to power 160,000 homes.
