Millions of Britons try to outdo their peers on environmental matters, poll claims

One in five polled report falling out with friend or neighbour over their green credentials

Potentially millions of Britons are trying to outdo their peers when it comes to recycling and reducing their carbon footprint (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Millions of eco-conscious Britons are now trying to outdo friends and neighbours in the environmental stakes, a new poll claims.

While one-upmanship was traditionally considered confined to competitions over material possessions, in 2019 such socially competitive behaviour appears to centre around matters considerably more existential in nature.

A survey found 22 per cent of respondents had tried to outdo their peers when it comes to recycling and reducing their carbon footprint.

One in five said they have fallen out with a friend or neighbour because they thought they were harming the environment, and 15 per cent admitted they judge their neighbours for their lack of recycling.

The survey by Hyundai revealed four in 10 adults actively inform friends and family if they have bought an eco-friendly product.

The majority of those polled admitted they get annoyed at neighbours who put recyclable items in with general waste. To make a point, one in 13 made a habit of ensuring their neighbours could see how much recycling they put out themselves on bin day.

The research also found 80 per cent of adults take pleasure in recycling while 70 per cent have tried to be more energy efficient over the past two years.

A third of adults said they have considered or are considering cutting back on beef and dairy consumption. When purchasing a car, the vehicle’s green credentials are four times as important as its acceleration and top speed, respondents said.

Nearly 60 percent said they would consider owning an electric or hybrid vehicle instead of a petrol or diesel in order to cut down on their carbon emissions.

However, cost was the biggest concern for the majority of respondents considering an eco-friendly car, followed by worries about enough charging points. The time it takes to charge a car and range anxiety were other concerns.

A spokesperson for Hyundai said: “The findings show how important the environment is to people living in the United Kingdom.

“Seventy per cent of respondents regard man-made climate change and pollution as the biggest issue facing humanity.

“Hyundai is committed to accelerating the transition to clean mobility and is investing heavily into alternative-fuel vehicles.

“We already have zero emission models like the Kona Electric and the NEXO fuel cell which actually cleans the air as it’s driven.

“By the middle of next year nearly 80 per cent of our line-up will be available as an electrified version.”

Londoners were the most likely to try and outdo their friends and family when it comes to recycling and reducing their carbon footprint (33 per cent), while those in East Anglia appeared to be the least competitive at 14 per cent.

Those in the capital were also most likely to buy an eco-friendly product after being influenced by a neighbour or friend, while residents in the northwest were the least likely.

People in the southwest were most likely to regard themselves as environmentally conscious (86 per cent), narrowly beating Londoners to the top spot (85 per cent).

SWNS