CONSUMERS in Scotland are looking at how they can be more climate conscious in the new year, according to new research from National Grid.
Almost half (49%) said they are including a commitment to tackle climate change in their New Year’s resolutions.
More than three-quarters of Scots (77%) feel that climate change requires being tackled now, rather than being a future problem.
When asked what changes they would make next year to cut their carbon footprint, more than half (53%) said they would be more mindful about their electricity use at home.
Other actions include reducing food waste (69%), recycling everything they can (63%), using reusable shopping bags (58%), using less plastic (57%), and turning the light off when they leave the room (55%).
Given that New Year’s resolutions can often fall by the wayside after a few weeks, National Grid has offered advice in order to keep up the changes for longer.
Setting a realistic timeframe, focusing on one thing and setting the resolution with someone else has also been suggested as a solution to sticking to goals.
For those looking to be more conscious of their electricity use, National Grid’s WhenToPlugIn app for mobiles, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant enables the use of electricity when it is cleanest. The free-to-use tools tell the user the cleanest times to plug in alongside a full breakdown of the energy sources powering electricity in their region.
READ MORE: After the hype of COP26 it’s now time for real action on the climate crisis
National Grid has released figures showing how many tonnes of carbon could be saved if one million consumers plugged in the most common household appliances when their electricity was cleanest and greenest.
For example, by using tumble dryers – which are very energy-intensive – at cleaner and greener times, National Grid says it could see 164,250 tonnes of carbon saved, which is the equivalent to taking more than 78,000 cars off the road.
Duncan Burt, chief sustainability officer at National Grid, said: “2021 has been a challenging year but also a big year for the climate change agenda and we’ve seen people becoming more engaged and vocal.
“The research shows that many are considering their day to day behaviours and looking for changes that can tackle this issue.
“All actions, whether big or small, can make a difference and we hope the tool we’ve developed, along with other carbon-cutting apps and technologies, can help people stick to their 2022 resolutions.”
He continued: “If we all take small steps to fight climate change, together we can have a huge impact on tackling carbon emissions. This issue affects us all, and we want to empower consumers to take action and play their part in helping the planet.
“By enabling people to access information on when their homes are being powered by clean energy, they can make informed decisions on their electricity use. And ultimately, these small changes will make a significant difference in cutting our collective carbon footprint.”
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