B&Q backs sustainability report helping UK households reach net zero
Environmental charity Hubbub’s new Home Advantage report, a blueprint for government and businesses to support UK households to live more sustainably, has gained support from B&Q, Starbucks, Unilever UK and Virgin Media O2.
The report harnessed a study of 175 UK homeowners over three months, supported by polling over 500 consumers.
While the recommendations are made by Hubbub, the Home Advantage study has been supported by a cohort of businesses. The companies, including retailers, not only provided funding for the study but also subject matter expertise and insights from their sectors.
The report highlighted the role companies play in household action, with 76% of homeowners believing businesses need to support households to do their bit for climate change and help balance emissions.
While a further 75% of households are open to making changes to how they live to help do their bit for climate change and help balance emissions, with the right help and support from business and government.
Joanna Gluzman, director of responsible business at B&Q, said: “There’s a clear need for certainty and consistency in giving homeowners a roadmap of home efficiency measures, along with simplicity in communication to build trust and drive action, and financial incentives to overcome cost barriers, such as those for home energy improvements.
“What is also clear is the need for a holistic and integrated approach. For example, simplifying EPC certificates to make them more practical and understandable would help households choose appropriate home energy improvements, which in turn would drive greater demand for skilled and trusted tradespeople, who are already in short supply in the UK.”
The report stressed household action on climate change is an essential part of the combined effort needed from all corners of society to reach net zero, including businesses and government too. It aimed to understand how households can be supported to make the sustainable changes they want, to create homes and ways of living that are fit for the future.
Gavin Ellis, director and co-founder at Hubbub, commented: “We’ve listened carefully to homeowners across the country, and we are encouraged by the overwhelming appetite to act. Householders have told us they want to know where to start, what will make the biggest difference, how much it will cost, what the wider benefits will be and how others will also play their part.
“We’ve identified a range of recommendations for government and business to support people to live more sustainably. We believe this challenge requires a radical rethink of how these issues are presented to the public to stimulate a step change in demand for sustainable choices. Applying the overarching principles from this report alone could help the UK to make huge strides towards the third of emissions reduction required by 2035 that relies on the decisions of households.”
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The post B&Q backs sustainability report helping UK households reach net zero appeared first on InternetRetailing.
February 13, 2025 at 10:29AM
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Katie Searles