In Better Futures Colmar Brunton is “Celebrating a decade of tracking New Zealanders’ attitudes & behaviours around sustainability”.
Trends show an increase in people concerned about the effects of climate change, and a commitment to live a sustainable lifestyle.
In a poll run between 4 and 11 December 2018 asked what issues people care most about.
- Build up of plastic in the environment 72% – up 9
- The cost of living 68% – no change
- The protection of New Zealand children 67% – down 1
- Suicide rates 67% – up 3
- Violence in society 65% – down 4
- Pollution of lakes, rivers and seas 64% – up 4
- Caring for the ageing population 63% – new
- The protection of my personal data online 62% – new
- Availability of affordable housing 61% – up 2
- Not having access to good affordable healthcare 60% – up 2
Trend of New Zealanders who express high level of concern around the impact of climate change on New Zealand
- 2009 – 36%
- 2010 – 31%
- 2011 – 29%
- 2012 – 33%
- 2013 – 34%
- 2014 – 41%
- 2015 – 40%
- 2016 – 45%
- 2017 – 48%
- 2018 – 55%
Commitment to living a sustainable lifestyle:
- 2015 – low 17%, medium 59%, high 24%
- 2016 – low 10%, medium 65%, high 25%
- 2017 – low 10%, medium 60%, high 30%
- 2018 – low 5%, medium 53%, high 42%
Who will always/mostly go meat free:
- 2014 – 4%
- 2015 – 5%
- 2016 – 6%
- 2017 – 7%
- 2018 – 10%
Switching to an electric car or hybrid:
- 34% thinking about switching
- 22% thought about it but probably won’t
- 27% don’t want to switch
- 14% haven’t thought about it or don’t know
‘Sustainable’ travel practices:
- 71% shop locally
- 67% walk for short journeys
- 57% drive in a more fuel-efficient way
- 20% take public transport
- 20% cycle for short journeys
- 19% carpool for work
- 9% pay to offset carbon on flights
- 6% scooter for short journeys
Impact of plastic:
- 85% say reducing disposable packaging is the right thing to do
- 77% say they can make a difference by reducing use of disposable packaging
…but… - Only 1% who buy lunch use reusable containers all the time.
‘Kinder’ businesses:
- 86% “It is important for me to work for a company that is socially and environmentally responsible”
- 90% “If I heard about a company being irresponsible or unethical, I’d stop buying their products or using their services”
On employers caring about society:
- 67% agree their employer has values they believe in
- 65% agree their employer actively supports society
- 66% agree they would recommend their workplace to others