Page 26 - Gi_November2020

GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

respondents with specific heating
transition pathways: concern about
climate change had a far larger effect
on the acceptability of the transition
scenarios than a person’s demographic
characteristics or variation in elements
of the delivery of the transition.

VARYING THE ELEMENTS OF HEATING TRANSITION
SCENARIOS HAD A SMALL EFFECT ON PUBLIC
ACCEPTABILITY
Analysis found statistically significant
differences in levels of acceptability
between elements of the heating
transition scenarios. In order of the
element’s importance in relation to
acceptability:
Transition scenarios that involved low
disruption were more acceptable than
those that involved high disruption;
National planning was more
acceptable than local planning;
Household control over timing was
more acceptable than no control.
However, while there was some effect, YOUNGER PEOPLE WITH DEGREES MORE LIKELY
the size of this effect was small. The mean TO BE IN FAVOUR OF CARBON REDUCTION
level of acceptability of the transition
from the least to the most acceptable Nevertheless, socio-demographic about their options, and that they would
scenario ranged from 5.47 to 6.30 on a characteristics could not explain get a high quality installation.
scale from 0 (not at all acceptable) to 10 how the acceptability of the concrete However, there was no such consensus
(completely acceptable). transition scenarios varied in the general on the up-front costs with as many
This narrow range of differences population. Indeed, this was better people disagreeing that these would be
in scores indicates that none of the explained by attitudinal elements, such affordable as agreeing, suggesting that
elements had a substantial effect on as levels of concern about climate change. this could be a key perceived current
the acceptability of a transition. This barrier to transition for this group.
finding may in part reflect that, as PATTERNS WERE SIMILAR BETWEEN THOSE
there was lack of certainty about the ON AND OFF THE GAS GRID TRUSTED SOURCES OF INFORMATION
eventual shape of any transition policy, Looking specifically at those who When all survey respondents were
the scenarios presented did not include were off the gas grid, their levels asked about who they would most trust
details about costs to the household, of awareness of the government’s for advice or information about low
and only illustrative detail on the ambition to eliminate nearly all carbon heating systems for their homes,
nature of possible in-home works. emissions from heat in buildings, non-governmental organisations were
The hypothetical scenarios used in this perceived importance of transitioning the most commonly selected trusted
research represent a first step in gaining away from heating systems that source, followed by a government
an understanding of the public’s views of use fossil fuels, or acceptability backed advice service, which in turn
a heating transition and more concrete of a transition scenario were not was followed by national government,
proposals in these areas may result in statistically significantly different from or a tradesperson or professional.
stronger effects on acceptability. those reported by respondents who This distribution was found across
were on the gas grid. socio-demographic groups and levels of
THERE WAS LITTLE VARIATION BY SOCIO- People who were currently off the gas concern about climate change. However,
DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS grid using fossil fuel heating systems those who were sceptical about climate
More generally, socio-demographic were, however, more likely to report change or believed it to be caused by
characteristics were associated with knowing at least a little about air source natural processes, were less likely to
knowledge and attitudes towards a and ground source heat pumps, than trust any of the sources, and the national
transition to low carbon heating and the rest of the population (50 per cent government or a government-backed
related areas. Younger people, those vs. 23 per cent respectively). advice service in particular.
with degrees, and people with higher When asked about certain
equivalised household incomes were more hypothetical aspects of a switch to low Transforming Heat - Public Attitudes
likely to be in favour of carbon reduction carbon heating systems, this group Research was produced by Gianfranco
policies or think they were important. (people living off the gas grid with Addario, Curtis Jessop, Marta
Older people, those with degrees, high carbon heating systems) were Mezzanzanica and Martin Wood
and people with higher equivalised generally positive. They expected an from NatCen Social Research with
household income tended to have environmentally-friendly heating support from Eunomia. To read the full
higher knowledge/awareness of low system would meet their heating needs report, visit www.gov.uk/government/
carbon heating technologies and carbon and be affordable to run and maintain, publications/transforming-heat-public-
reduction policies. that they could obtain reliable guidance attitudes-research

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