(Source: Guillaume de Germain)
A new study has found stark differences in UK students’ understanding of sustainability and fossil fuels.
A survey conducted by student accomodation specialists Yugo found that despite 74% of students are changing the way they live their lives to help address the climate crisis, but 34% believe that natural gas was a clean energy source.
Additional findings revealed that as many as 37% of students believe that climate change is having “little to no” impact on their lives and 74% thought companies around the world have a duty to address the crisis.
Just over a third (37%) of those students surveyed in the UK said that climate change is having little to no impact on their life, but three quarters (74%) believe that companies around the world have a duty to address the climate crisis.
As the COP27 summit is weeks away it is interesting to find the students believed that dishonest politicians and company profits were the primary reasons that the promises made at 2021’s COP26 would not be kept. Over a third felt that none of the world’s biggest companies were doing enough to combat the ongoing crisis.
The study has highlighted the need for education programmes to ensure environmental and sustainable matters are more understood by the masses.
Helen Strachan, a Sustainability Specialist at Yugo, said: “There is often a misunderstood assumption that students have a homogeneous view on the environment and sustainability, but this research presents a far more complex picture. There are huge differences of opinion and knowledge when it comes to some of the biggest challenges the planet is facing, which is understandable given the vast amount of information out there on what is one of the most multifaceted issues of our time. This study shows the need for further understanding of these critical issues.
“It’s uplifting to know that students are changing their behaviour. As a company operating in the field of higher education, we have a duty to support students to live the most sustainable lives they can – this is why sustainability plays a key role in our holistic living program and why YugoEco brings students together to create better living spaces and a better planet.”
Yugo has formed a partnership with The Carbon Literacy Project to ensure more of the company’s employees are aware and knowledgable about sustainability issues and of Yugo’s own carbon emissions. Currently Yugo is a Bronze Level Carbon Literatate Organization and is making efforts to earn its Silver Level accreditation.
Emma Richards, Head of Project Development, The Carbon Literacy Project said: “Carbon Literacy is an essential skill, vital to every workplace, community, and place of study. This research only demonstrates this further. Carbon Literacy is the foundational knowledge – it gives everyone the base level of understanding on climate change needed to drive positive action. However, Carbon Literacy is only the first step.
“The actions taken and pledged by learners as part of their Carbon Literacy have an immediate impact within their organisation, however it is the maintenance of these and further actions, supported by Carbon Literate organisational culture, that reaps the greatest rewards for both participants and their organisations. By becoming a Bronze accredited Carbon Literate Organisation, Yugo has demonstrated its commitment to driving genuine low carbon action in their own organisation and among the students they serve.”
