Clear and green conscience - Brits go green in 2008

We’ve used enough wrapping paper to cover over two thirds of Britain, we’ve sent approximately 858 million Christmas cards, and we’ve wasted bin liners upon bin liners of food. But with the New Year in tow Brits are planning to turn their conscience green, according to new research by Friends Provident.

Hordes of Brits will dash to the gym, bin the booze and chop up their credit cards, but almost 13 million people in the UK are set to make New Year’s Resolutions with a difference: they pledge to be greener in 2008.

Of those surveyed almost one in four (22%) plan to make green New Year’s resolutions that will not cost the earth and may indeed give something back to it. Topping the list of good intentions were to:

Turn electrical appliances off when they aren’t being used
Recycle glass, paper, plastics, metal and organic waste.
Be more green-fingered by making their own compost and growing their own veg.
Buy energy saving appliances and light bulbs

Out of the age groups surveyed, 31 – 35 year olds have the strongest desire to be greener, with almost a third (31%) planning to make green resolutions. Coming in second place are 22-25 year olds, with a quarter planning to be greener in the New Year.

The survey from Friends Provident, which launched the UK’s first ethical fund, also found that Brits are keen to give younger generations advice on how to contribute to the green effort, with the top tip being to recycle (44%); followed by dropping their litter in a bin rather than on the street (21%). And one in seven adults (15%) advise children to stretch their legs and opt to walk rather than catch public transport. Eco-friendly education is also considered key to a greener future, with 12% of people telling youngsters to pay attention to environmental issues in school.

Julia Dreblow, socially responsible investment marketing manager at Friends Provident, said: “Without a doubt green issues will be on Brits’ minds more than ever in 2008, many of which have New Year’s Resolutions to live greener lives, ranging from being more environmentally friendly in their homes to being more ethically minded when they shop. Many people plan to take an ethical approach to their finances too, by reviewing their investments to avoid investing in companies that are not socially responsible.”