One in three Scots makes green resolution

SCOTS are planning to lead greener lives in 2009, a new survey suggests.

More than 1,000 people in Scotland were asked whether they planned to make resolutions this Hogmanay to help the environment.

Of those who said they planned on making a green New Year resolution, recycling more waste and using energy-efficient light bulbs were the most popular choices, each accounting for 34 per cent of those surveyed.

A third of people questioned said they planned to walk more, and smaller numbers said they intended to drive less, cycle more and turn the heating down.

It is the latest evidence that many Scots are becoming more concerned about their impact on the planet.

At the beginning of 2008, The Scotsman launched its Let's Go Green Together campaign in conjunction with the Scottish Government.

Already, thousands of people have signed up to pledges to lead greener lifestyles. These range from recycling more, to turning off the lights and getting involved in community initiatives to help the environment.

Michael Russell, the environment minister, said: "To help prevent climate change and protect the environment for future generations, we all need to reduce the impact of the way we live."

He suggested this year Scots should consider making a green New Year's resolution, and said taking a small step would make a huge difference.

"It's great to see that so many Scots are already planning to go greener in 2009," he added.

"And the good news is that as well as helping the environment, being green can often save you money, too – something that's more important than ever during the current economic climate."

The survey of 1,013 adults was carried out for the Scottish Government to inquire about people's resolutions for 2009.

The most popular greener resolution among women was to recycle more, while men favoured switching to energy-efficient bulbs.

Fifteen per cent of those surveyed said they would drive less, 16 per cent have vowed to cycle more and 25 per cent said they would turn the heating down.

However, 29 per cent of those surveyed said they had no plans to recycle more, drive less, walk or cycle more, turn the heating down, or use energy-efficient bulbs.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have always said there is more work to be done.

"But equally the 'Go Greener' campaign is encouraging people to take small steps."

According to the survey, carried out for the Scottish Government by Scottish Opinion, people aged 45 to 54 were most likely to recycle more, with those over 65 least likely. And 7 per cent more women than men were likely to recycle more.

Those aged 55 to 64 were most likely to drive less, and 25 to 34-year-olds were most likely to cycle more.

Women were more likely than men to walk more in 2009, with 36 per cent saying they would, compared to 29 per cent of males in the survey.

Over the past year, The Scotsman has highlighted the work of communities and individuals across the country as people make efforts to go green.

These range from the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust's efforts to set up a scheme to use renewable sources to provide mains electricity on the island for the first time, to the Fife Diet, in which scores of people ate local food for a year.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has published its draft climate change legislation.

If passed by parliament next year, it will bring in targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

This would include emissions from international air travel and shipping from the start, prompting green groups to say it is the most ambitious in the world. There will also be annual targets to make sure progress is made.

Our campaign

LET'S Go Green Together was launched with ten pledges which The Scotsman urged people to sign up to.

• Recycle household waste using locally provided facilities.

• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.

• Switch to using energy-saving light bulbs.

• Leave the car more often and cycle, walk, share a car or use public transport.

• Use rechargeable batteries, not disposable ones.

• Re-use carrier bags when you shop.

• Buy more seasonal and unpackaged food.

• Hang your washing up to dry rather than using a tumbler dryer.

• Organise or volunteer in an environmental project in your local community.

• Pay back environmental impact of any flights you take and choose not to fly when there's an alternative.