The watchdog said that the research, which was carried out by an independent company that interviewed 60 consumers of varying ages, revealed that many customers who are skeptical about the impact that climate change is having and the programs in place to curb carbon emissions are willing to pay up to an extra GBP15 per year to fund such schemes.
Furthermore, the research showed that those consumers who are very supportive of carbon abatement programs and can afford to do so would pay GBP50 to GBP100 to support such initiatives.
Although the research highlighted consumer willingness to support carbon-cutting initiatives, Ofgem said that it also emerged that most feel strongly that businesses and energy suppliers should bear the majority of the costs. Consumers also voiced their belief that tackling climate change is a collective responsibility for the government, businesses, suppliers and customers.
Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan said: Household emissions account for nearly a third of Britain’s emissions so it is vital that customers are willing to shoulder some of the burden of tackling carbon emissions. Our research shows that there is a willingness from most consumers to help tackle carbon emissions, but there is confusion and pessimism about how effectively industry and government can fight climate change.
Mr Buchanan said that Ofgem’s challenge would be to communicate to UK consumers why the extra money is being charged and how it is being used. The watchdog concluded that policies to cut carbon need to be more effectively communicated to customers.
The research is part of Ofgem’s Consumer First project, which aims to get a better understanding of consumers’ concerns about their energy consumption. The watchdog said that the project demonstrates its commitment to developing a stronger dialogue with domestic consumers and to tap into growing awareness of environmental issues in order to help inform its policies.
