Cost concerns were of
key importance to the ‘Efficiency Focused’, so behaviours which
might save them money, or indicated better value for money, were of most interest and
these included:
- In the area of reuse and recycling, many
activities were already well established
but, where they were not, interest was expressed in adopting them and this
included second hand purchases as well as the disposal of things, like batteries
and paint, in an environmentally friendly way
- Saving energy and water, such as installing
a new boiler, having or improving
insulation in the home and the purchase of energy and water efficient products.
However, given their financial concerns, this may require an incentive to prompt
action
“We have tried one or two E-S light bulbs. It’s something that we
have resolved we will do. We only
bought the one, but we weren’t getting an awful lot of light from it”
[Male, ABC1, 46, Older Family, Mkt Town, Flintshire - EF]
- Alternative energy providers were also
of some interest, such as switching
electricity provider to a green tariff or finding an alternative energy source, but
these would be unlikely to happen if it was found to be more expensive to do so
“I need to gain more understanding to see whether these things are a
long term beneficial investment,
financially and environmentally…I don’t see why not [having a wind turbine], you can get different
sizes.
An incentive to help with set up would be good”
[Male, B, 26-35, Cohabit/No Kids, Semi- Rural, Powys - EF]
- Transport behaviours which would be considered
include switching fuels and, for
those who did not have prior experience of lift sharing (albeit informal), there
was evidence of more openness to lift share schemes
- In terms of Food and Purchasing many said
they would consider alternative
products, such as fish, organic and environmentally friendly products, but again
any price difference is likely to be a barrier
Carbon off-setting was of some interest to this segment
