Three-quarters of businesses say the pandemic has made them reconsider their environmental credentials, according to research conducted by energy supplier E.ON.
For many people, the lockdown period has provided them with an opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate how they live their lives.
According to the survey, which was conducted on 2,000 individuals and 500 business decision-makers, having spent more time at home, 51% of the public said they are now more aware of the impact that they are having on the environment.
More than half of those surveyed said that they have noticed an improvement in air pollution during lockdown and over half admitted a new acknowledgement on the amount of waste that they contribute.
The majority of businesses-decision makers said that they believe they are the group with the most responsibility to push for a ‘green recovery,’ but they also said that this needs to be a shared effort with government and consumers also playing their part.
When E.ON asked people why they want to make their businesses more sustainable, two-thirds said because ‘it is right thing to do.’
However, industry expectations and customer demands were also revealed to be key incentives.
Michael Lewis, CEO, E.ON UK, said: ‘At home and in business, this pandemic has made us all consider what’s most important, and it’s heartening to see across the nation we’re planning on putting sustainability at the heart of our ‘new normal’.
‘As we look to build back better, it’s important we all take steps towards being more sustainable and more environmentally aware, and we’re proud our customers are already on that journey one year on from our landmark decision to provide their homes with electricity backed by 100% renewable sources.’
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