UK consumers have faced challenges in adopting more sustainable lifestyles due to financial constraints, according to a survey conducted by Deloitte. The study of 2,000 British adults revealed that 62% cited cost concerns as a barrier to switching to sustainable behaviors, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. However, the survey also found that a significant portion of respondents were willing to pay more for sustainable products and services, with 26% prepared to pay more to protect biodiversity, 24% willing to pay more for sustainable products and packaging, and 25% willing to pay more to buy from suppliers that respect human rights. The survey also indicated that many consumers have already adopted sustainable behaviors at home, such as recycling (76%), reducing household food waste (68%), and limiting single-use plastics (64%). Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of consumers engaging in circular practices, such as repairing items instead of replacing them (55%) and buying second-hand or refurbished items (46%). The survey also revealed that consumers have been cutting back on energy consumption, with 23% switching to renewable energy suppliers, 81% reducing their use of heating, and 74% washing clothes at lower temperatures. Looking ahead, the majority of respondents expressed a desire to continue reducing their energy consumption, while a smaller percentage had longer-term plans such as installing solar panels or replacing boilers with heat pumps. The survey findings highlight the importance of businesses and policymakers working together to make sustainable choices more affordable and to provide better information on the environmental impact of buying decisions.
Wateja wa Uingereza wamekabiliwa na changamoto katika kupitisha mtindo wa maisha endelevu zaidi kwa sababu ya vikwazo vya kifedha, kulingana na utafiti uliofanywa na Deloitte. Utafiti uliofanywa kwa watu wazima 2,000 wa Uingereza ulifunua kuwa 62% walitaja wasiwasi wa gharama kama kizuizi cha kubadilisha tabia endelevu, ikionyesha ongezeko la 10% kutoka mwaka uliopita. Utafiti huo pia uligundua kuwa asilimia kubwa ya watu waliojibu walikuwa tayari kulipa zaidi kwa bidhaa na huduma endelevu, na 26% walikuwa tayari kulipa zaidi kulinda bioanuwai, 24% walikuwa tayari kulipa zaidi kwa bidhaa endelevu na ufungaji, na 25% walikuwa tayari kulipa zaidi kununua kutoka kwa wauzaji wanaoheshimu haki za binadamu. Utafiti huo pia ulionyesha kuwa watumiaji wengi tayari wamepitisha tabia endelevu nyumbani, kama vile kuchakata (76%), kupunguza taka ya chakula ya nyumbani (68%), na kupunguza plastiki ya matumizi moja (64%). Kwa kuongezea, kulikuwa na ongezeko la idadi ya watumiaji wanaohusika katika mazoea ya mviringo, kama vile kurekebisha vitu badala ya kuzibadilisha (55%) na kununua vitu vilivyotumika au vilivyotengenezwa upya (46%). Utafiti huo pia ulionyesha kuwa watumiaji wamepunguza matumizi ya nishati, na 23% wakibadilisha kwa wauzaji wa nishati mbadala, 81% wakipunguza matumizi yao ya joto, na 74% wakisafisha nguo kwa joto la chini. Kwa mtazamo wa siku zijazo, wengi wa waliohojiwa walionyesha hamu ya kuendelea kupunguza matumizi yao ya nishati, wakati asilimia ndogo ilikuwa na mipango ya muda mrefu kama vile kufunga paneli za jua au kubadilisha boilers na pampu za joto. Matokeo ya utafiti huu yanaonyesha umuhimu wa biashara na watunga sera kufanya kazi pamoja ili kufanya chaguzi endelevu ziwe nafuu zaidi na kutoa habari bora juu ya athari za mazingira za maamuzi ya ununuzi.