A range of expert research and policy contributors kick-started the event, followed by a hive of analytical activity into different topics – from factors influencing green attitudes and behaviours to commuting distances and mode of travel. Two examples of interesting insights to emerge were:
Firstly, that there was little spill-over between different types of pro-environmental behaviours such as switching off the lights in rooms that aren’t being used, leaving the TV on standby for the night, and brazil rcs data keeping the tap running while brushing teeth. We know from other evidence that actions people are most likely to take are also those that have the least impact on decarbonisation. This is not only because people are often confused about what actions have the biggest impact on decarbonisation but also because behaviour changes have very different effort / impact trade-offs. Changes such as walking or cycling or taking fewer flights require much greater effort … but for bigger impacts.
A cyclist in motion on the road, with a parked car and telephone box in the background
Secondly, how many car commutes could plausibly be undertaken by active travel? Using pre-pandemic waves of Understanding Society data, collected in 2018/19, analysis shows that around 10% of commuting journeys were under 1.5 miles and just under 40% were less than 5 miles. Of course, some types of journey such as dropping children off to school before work can be more difficult to shift, but even allowing for people’s individual circumstances, this analysis reveals that there are demand side opportunities.