A global study by energy management and digital automation company Schneider Electric reveals nearly nine out of 10 (88 per cent) Australians believe climate change will lead to rising energy bills should global temperatures rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The study also reveals nearly six out of 10 (58 per cent) Australians place responsibility for climate change on individuals as opposed to businesses or local governments.
Other key findings from the study include:
- More than seven out of 10 (71 per cent) Australians consider reducing their carbon footprint a personal priority.
- Nearly six out of 10 (58 per cent) Australians place importance on their homes becoming net zero, although only one in three (34 per cent) believe this is likely to happen.
According to Jaap Ham, Associate Professor in the Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences department at Eindhoven University of Technology, in the Netherlands, changing individuals’ mindsets is crucial to addressing the reduction of personal carbon footprints.
“In line with earlier research, this study demonstrates our mindset is a crucial barrier to change when it comes to reducing our carbon footprints at home,” says Ham, who is an expert in understanding technology and behaviour change, and contributed to the Schneider Electric study.
“We have created psychological roadblocks that we use to deny responsibility to take action. These findings show that small changes in thinking can lead to big changes in sustainable behaviour.
“When we adopt smart digital solutions that help us save energy and replace fossil fuels with smart, clean electricity, we are making a treasured contribution to our global fight for a healthier planet.
“With the help of smart digital solutions, we can do good for the environment without compromising our comfort.”
The study also revealed Australian consumers put energy efficiency at home as a major priority in their lives, with 41 per cent of respondents revealing smart home technology will help make their home more sustainable.
On average, Australians will spend $3617 on energy efficiency in the next 12 months, with smart energy monitors and smart thermostats respectively ranking at five and eight in the most purchased smart devices list.
YiFu Qi, executive vice-president of global home and distribution at Schneider Electric, says managing energy consumption and costs are major drivers for consumers investing in smart, sustainable solutions.
“Consumers in the current energy crisis need to feel they are in control over how energy is produced, stored and distributed in the home,” he says.
“The residential market is at a tipping point, and the good news is the technological solutions already exist.
“Our research shows there is a greater understanding among consumers about how they can improve their home energy management, and that smart home technology can help them be more efficient.”