North East now keener on going greener says new survey by the Energy Saving Trust and ClimateNE.

• New survey finds twice as many people in the North East claim to be living environmentally friendly lives compared to 2009
• But almost half worried about the impact local industry is having on the environment

A new survey commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust and ClimateNE has found that nearly half (45 per cent) of people from the North East aim to be as environmentally friendly as they can in their day-to-day lives - more than twice the number who made this claim last year.

In 2009, fewer than one in five (18.4 per cent) said they were living in an eco-friendly fashion.

Of those surveyed this year, three-fifths (63 per cent) claim to leave their cars at home and are choosing to use their bike or take public transport when making local trips. Nine out of 10 (89 per cent) are also cutting back on what they throw away when it comes to items such as clothes or food.

Steve Hunter, head of region for the Energy Saving Trust in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "To find that almost half of North East residents aim to be environmentally friendly in everything that they do is extremely positive, especially as fewer than one in five said they tried to behave in an eco-friendly fashion in 2009.

"Most interesting is seeing the subtle changes in lifestyle that North East citizens are making to help reduce their carbon footprint and do their bit for the environment- like taking the bike or jumping on the bus instead of taking the car, and thinking twice before putting something in the rubbish bin."

The study was commissioned in partnership with ClimateNE, a body which works with the Energy Saving Trust and other organisations across the region to tackle the causes and effects of climate change.

The new report - dubbed Green Barometer North East - is the first area-specific survey of public attitudes towards green behaviour across the region. A total of 1,468 adults were surveyed in: County Durham; Darlington; Gateshead; Hartlepool; Middlesbrough; Newcastle; North and South Tyneside; Northumberland; Redcar and Cleveland; Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland.

According to the research, Northumberland is the green capital of the North East, with seven out of 10 (72 per cent) claiming to be as environmentally friendly in most or everything they do. This compares to just one in five (21 per cent) in Newcastle.

However, people living in Newcastle are most likely to get on their bike or use public transport for local journeys (79 per cent) compared to  just six in 10 (57 per cent) of people in North Tyneside, Northumberland, and Redcar and Cleveland.

Adrian Hilton, ClimateNE coordinator, said: "It is fantastic news that people in the North East are committed to environmental issues and aiming to be as environmentally friendly as possible. But it is absolutely critical that this momentum is maintained and increased. There is no doubt that climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today and its effect will be felt in North East England, the rest of the country, and globally.

"The North East is already in a strong position, with hundreds of innovative and inspirational projects taking place across the region and the 12 local authorities have demonstrated their commitment to tackle climate change by being the first group of councils in Europe to sign up to the EU's Covenant of Mayors."

The survey also finds that residents are concerned about the impact of local industry on carbon emissions in their area.  Almost half (46 per cent) of people in the North East admit to being worried about the effect industry is having.

While just over a third (36 per cent) believe local industry is doing something to reduce its carbon emissions, nearly half (44 per cent) don't know how much industry is taking any steps to improve its environmental performance.

Sarah Green, regional director, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "Industry is working hard to tackle climate change, and provide goods and services to consumers to help them reduce their carbon emissions.

"A lot of investment has been going into North East industry to achieve these aims. For example the first electric vehicle available to the mass-market will be produced in Sunderland's Nissan battery plant."

Hunter added: "The North East is home to many industries so it is understandable that people have concerns about the impact their work has on the environment.

"However everyone needs to remember that they shouldn't just be concerned about the effect industry might create - they should look to themselves and see what else they could do to help affect change.

"People from the North East are real local heroes when it comes to the environment, but there is still so much more that can be done.

"A small change made by everyone can have a major positive effect across the region."

For the full reports and data visit www.tinyurl.com/negreenbarometer

About the Survey
The study is part of the Energy Saving Trust's Green Barometer survey and surveyed 1,468 adults aged 18+ across the North East of England between 4 March and 2 April 2010.

The areas focused upon were: County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-tees and Sunderland.

About the Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust is the UK's leading impartial organisation helping people save energy and reduce carbon emissions. We do this by providing expert insight and knowledge about energy saving, supporting people to take action, helping local authorities and communities to save energy and providing quality assurance for goods, services and installers. Call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre for free impartial advice: 0800 512 012 or visit http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

About ClimateNE
ClimateNE brings together a range of private, public and voluntary organisations committed to providing a focus on delivering a low carbon and climate resilient economy. ClimateNE is partially funded by the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee. The Local Levy is raised by the Environment Agency's Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee from local authorities in the North East and is used to fund projects in the local area that would not be eligible for national funding.

ClimateNE is developing a robust evidence base that will enable both businesses and local government to provide confidence to define stretching targets and promote aspiration and achievement. Visit the website - http://www.climatenortheast.com//

About the Covenant of Mayors
The Covenant of Mayors is the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and Transport's largest and most ambitious initiative to date. It aims to connect the citizens of towns and cities across the EU, in a permanent network to tackle the problem of climate change.

The Covenant is a formal commitment made by participating cities to reduce their CO2 emissions beyond the EU's 20 per cent objectives by 2020 targets, through the  implementation of a sustainable energy action plan.

About ANEC
ANEC is the Association of North East Councils and is the representative body for local government in the North East.

It encompasses all 12 local authorities in the region, throughout Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve. It aims to tackle real issues which matter to people, whether it be the level of funding coming to the region, transport, the environment, health, tourism, housing or economic development.

Contact:

• Bill Ranatunga 07770 886950 / branatunga@webershandwick.com
• Paula McNulty 07770 886924 / pmcnulty@webershandwick.com
• David Sawyer 07770 886923 / dsawyer@webershandwick.com