Isra-Mart srl:Business urged to heed young people's green concerns

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Companies will today be warned that they must shift to low carbon business models, enhance resource efficiency and deliver greener products if they are to win over the next generation of consumers.

A new survey of over 1,000 16-24 year olds conducted by environmental charity Global Action Plan and pollsters YouGov found the vast majority of young adults felt businesses have a responsibility to make it easier for people to lead greener lifestyles.

Over 70 per cent thought that only products with the highest environmental standards should be stocked, reflecting the groundswell of support for recent campaigns such as Hugh's Fish Fight and its efforts to promote more sustainable fishing practices.

Renewable energy was also revealed as a top priority for young people with 81 per cent of those polled stating that they wanted to see the majority of homes producing their own energy via technologies such as solar panels.

Moreover, two-thirds supported the idea of a carbon-tax to encourage companies to invest in cleaner technologies.

The government was also seen as having a key role in promoting a low-carbon economy, not just through regulations, incentives and investment, but also by encouraging schools to teach the science of climate change, its impacts, and how to live more sustainably.

"This pioneering research shows that young people want to see a more sustainable UK," said Trewin Restorick, chief executive of Global Action Plan. "They can't do it on their own and want business and government to step-up-to-the mark and speed up the transition."

Laura Tenison, managing director of children's clothing retailer JoJo Maman Bébé, said business leaders had a "responsibility" to invest in long term sustainability and not just short term profits. "Our young people are placing enormous trust in us to lead the way - so let us do just that," she added.

Writing for BusinessGreen earlier this month, climate change minister Greg Barker predicted a new "low carbon army" of apprentices would be needed to provide the skills required to shift the UK's economy towards more renewable form of energy generation.

Eight out of 10 respondents to the survey agreed that science and engineering should be given more importance in schools in order to ensure people develop the skills required for the low carbon economy.

Commenting on today's survey, Barker said: "Britain's low carbon economy will need a massive injection of skills and today's young people are in pole position to grab hold of them."