ALMOST half of Scots are more aware of where their energy comes from than they were five years ago – mirroring a trend of increasing concerns about the climate crisis.
Research released to mark the start of the Scottish Renewable Energy Festival today found that 47% of 1002 Scottish adults surveyed said they now think more about the sustainability of the type of energy powering their home than they did in 2014. Only 3% said they are less aware.
Over the same period, UK Government figures show approval for renewable energy has risen from 79% to 82% – while the popularity of key technologies like onshore wind (67% to 79%) and solar (82% to 89%) has also increased.
“This latest research, at the start of the Scottish Renewable Energy Festival, shows Scots have a real and deepening understanding of where their energy comes from,” said Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, which commissioned the study.
“As climate change has increased in prominence with the Paris Agreement, the Scottish Government’s declaration of a climate emergency, the actions of groups like Extinction Rebellion and the announcement that the UN’s 26th climate change conference will be held in Glasgow, Scots’ knowledge of the provenance of their power has risen.”
The increase in energy awareness comes as the cost of renewable energy has fallen. Onshore wind is now the cheapest form of any new-build electricity generation. And the study also revealed that renewables are providing 75% of Scotland’s electricity demand, and 6% of heat.
Mack added: “Reducing emissions from our electricity, transport and heat sectors is one of the keys to tackling climate change and renewables are already doing just that, as well as delivering sustainable development across our country and our economy.
“These are exactly the benefits that the Scottish Renewable Energy Festival has been designed to amplify.”
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