Indians More Climate Conscious than Peers Across the World says IET Survey
Bangalore: New research from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has shown that 96% of adults in India think that climate is changing, and that human activity is solely or partly responsible.
The research, which forms a part of the IET’s Green Preferences Survey, to which over a 1,000 Indians responded also found that 45% of adults in India believe that we can avoid the worst effects of climate change, only by making radical changes to how we live our lives. 58% of respondents said that other generations will experience noticeable change because of climate change, while 39% said the effects would be felt in their generation.
In terms of trade-offs when presented with choices of what they would be willing to do, respondents in India said:
57% are most likely to opt for the eco-wash cycle in a washing machine, compared to 32% in China and 36% in the UAE
Those in India are far more likely to choose a holiday destination in their own country (36%) in order to reduce their carbon footprint, compared to the UK (12%), USA (11%) and Australia (9%)
When asked the trade-off between flying or spending more money taking the train to their holiday destination, those in India were more open to the idea of spending more and taking the train (43%), along with China (49%) and Germany (46%)
James Robottom, Sustainability and Climate Change Lead at the IET, said, “It’s great to see that respondents in India are aware that radical action is needed. However, positive progress comes at a price – short-term financial gains are always attractive, but long-term investment must be the goal. Our survey has shown that respondents from across the world are aware that change is needed, and they know what can be done – but they often require practical reasons to make that change. It’s essential that there is a collaborative approach, through national and international policy and messaging across businesses and industry sectors.”
Shekhar Sanyal, Country Head and Director, IET India said, “India has always been committed to reducing the impact of climate change. So, it is no surprise that the survey reflects this as well. Earlier this week, the Honourable Prime Minister of India announced that India is set to not only attain, but exceed the targets set by the Paris Agreement for climate resilience. Through our throught leadership platforms, we look forward to working with the ecosystem players to strengthen this approach.”
The IET’s Green Preferences Survey surveyed adults across Australia, China, Germany, India, the Middle East, the UK and the USA. It reveals public perceptions around making changes and trade-offs to reduce emissions, as well as understanding where the public believes responsibilities lie and what our greatest barriers are to being more sustainable.
To read the report in full, please visit www.theiet.org/Green-Preferences-Survey