45% of adults report being personally impacted by climate change, a notable increase from 37% in 2020.
These findings come after a year in 2023 marked by unprecedented rainfall and warming in Ireland, with clear effects of climate change evident in people’s lives, according to the bank. The research is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 adults aged 18 and over conducted in December 2023.
The cost of living remains the primary barrier to making sustainable choices, though concerns are lessening; the proportion of respondents citing cost as an obstacle has dropped by 20% since the previous survey in May 2023. Despite this, inflation still looms large for consumers, with 52% indicating that the rising cost of living has reduced their interest in sustainability—an increase of 15% from 37%. Furthermore, 44% identified a lack of sustainable alternatives as the main barrier, down from 59% in May 2023, while 33% pointed to a lack of clarity or information, a slight decrease from 35%.
71% of respondents believe the government should provide these alternatives, while 57% feel individuals should drive personal behavioral changes to address environmental issues. Expectations for multinationals to adopt sustainable practices stand at 46%, compared to 38% for large Irish businesses, 19% for charities, and 14% for SMEs.
Lifestyle changes identified as most impactful in reducing carbon emissions include using electricity generated from renewable sources (29%), driving an electric car (10%), and purchasing fewer or second-hand clothes (58%). Only 11% of people have adopted a vegan or vegetarian diet, down from 13% in 2021, with just 4% planning to make such a switch in the next three years. A small but growing number of consumers are interested in securing home improvement loans to enhance their homes’ energy efficiency, rising to 10% from 8% in the previous survey.
This marks the sixth AIB Sustainability Survey conducted by Amárach for AIB, with earlier waves taken in May 2023, June 2021, December 2020, June 2020, and December 2019.
Mary Whitelaw, AIB’s chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, comments, “Our world is changing before our eyes. The latest wave of AIB’s Sustainability Research indicates an increase in those who feel impacted by climate change. It’s encouraging to see a slight easing in cost barriers to more sustainable choices as inflation decreases. AIB is committed to supporting our customers in building a greener future through lower-cost green mortgages for homes with a BER rating of B3 or higher, as well as affordable green personal loans for solar panel installation, insulation, or purchasing electric vehicles.”
Gerard O’Neill, chairman of Amárach, adds, “The research illustrates that Irish citizens are eager to contribute to Ireland’s climate change goals for 2030, but they require guidance, encouragement, and support from the government, businesses, and other entities to foster a sustainable future for Ireland.”