20 February,
2008 - New research out today reveals New
Zealanders have widespread concern for environmental
issues and are hungry to learn more about
how they can make a difference in their
own homes, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard
said today.
The Research New Zealand
survey was commissioned by the Ministry
for the Environment and gives a comprehensive
picture of New Zealanders’ actions and attitudes
on sustainability. It asked 1000 New Zealanders
about the actions they were taking across
household areas including shopping, transport,
energy, water, waste, and building.
"The Household
Sustainability Benchmark Survey shows that
53 per cent of New Zealanders are deeply
concerned that we are not doing enough to
protect the environment while only six per
cent said that looking after the environment
was not a high priority," Trevor Mallard
said.
"It found most
New Zealanders were taking at least some
steps to protect the environment. For example
92 per cent were recycling, but many were
unaware of what else they could do. Two-thirds
(63 per cent) said they would like to know
more, and a further 28 per cent said they
actively looked for information about what
they could do to care for the environment.
"These findings
reinforce the need for practical information
to help New Zealanders make eco-friendly
choices in the home. Providing information
to householders is one goal in the Household
Sustainability Programme. It's all part
of the Labour-led government work to provide
a secure future, a sustainable future, a
healthy future, a better place to live for
all New Zealanders.
"As part of that
programme, we have launched the ‘What’s
Your Next Step?’ Sustainability Challenge
and an interactive website that gives Kiwis
practical information and invites them to
register their steps for sustainability.
To sign up, visit "My Next Step"
at www.sustainability.govt.nz/," Trevor
Mallard said.
"Actions like switching
off the lights when leaving a room, walking
to work, regular car tune-ups and installing
insulation not only help protect the environment,
they are also better for our health and
can help to save money – two factors which
the survey shows can also motivate people
to be environmentally friendly."
The survey also showed
that educated women, people with children,
and people with higher than average household
incomes were the most committed to taking
sustainable actions, while older men and
those on lower incomes took the fewest actions.
It found the most popular
actions New Zealanders are taking are in
the areas of shopping for eco-friendly goods
(66 per cent), steps to reduce energy use
such as using eco-bulbs (67 per cent) and
steps to reduce waste such as recycling
(92 per cent) and composting (54 per cent).
The least popular actions were in the areas
of transport and water use.
The full research is at www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/sus-dev/household-sustainability-benchmark-survey-feb08/index.html
Some key findings of
the Household Sustainability Benchmark survey.
• Of the five main areas examined, New Zealanders
are doing the most to be sustainable in
the area of heating and general energy use
and the least in the area of transportation.
• Many respondents reported
that they engaged in sustainable action
because it is good for the environment (for
example, 64 per cent in the case of heating
and energy use).
• Savings and health
were other factors that also motivated behaviour.
For example, 74 per cent of respondents
reported that they dealt with heating and
energy use in a sustainable manner because
it saved them money and 47 per cent reported
that they did these things because it was
good for their own or their family’s health
and well-being.
• The major barriers
inhibiting sustainable behaviour tend to
relate in general, to the time and inconvenience
imposed by engaging in these activities,
a lack of knowledge about what more to do
and the features/performance of alternative
products (in the case of major purchases).
• Just over half (53
per cent) of respondents stated they are
‘deeply concerned that we aren’t all doing
enough to protect our environment for future
generations’.
• One-third (31 per
cent) reported that they ‘plan and take
into account the impact of the environment
in most things they do’.
• Three-quarters of
respondents claimed they personally do ‘a
lot’ (9 per cent) or ‘a reasonable amount’
(63 per cent) to look after the environment.
This compares with one half (52 per cent)
who believed that most New Zealanders were
doing ‘a little’ to help with the environment
and a further 29 per cent who believed most
New Zealanders were doing ‘a reasonable
amount’.
• Almost three-quarters
(72 per cent) stated that the environment
was ‘one of a number of reasons’ for the
choices and actions they make. Almost one-quarter
(23 per cent) stated that the environment
was ‘the most important factor,’ while a
small proportion (5 per cent) stated that
the environment ‘does not really come into
it at all’.
• The majority (70 percent)
of respondents reported feeling ‘somewhat
informed’ about the things they can do to
help care for the environment. An additional
quarter (27 per cent) of respondents reported
feeling ‘very informed’.
• The majority also
wanted more information on what they could
do (63 per cent claimed they ‘would like
to learn more’) and a further 28 per cent
reported ‘actively looking for more information’.
+ More
Christchurch business
a role model for others
19 February, 2008 -
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard will
today visit Christchurch eco-fashion success
story Untouched World to pay tribute to
its global leadership in sustainable business.
"Today is the first
chance I have had to visit and congratulate
Untouched World since the company received
recognition from the United Nations for
its sustainable achievements late last year.
I wanted to meet the people here at Untouched
World and check out their operations and
tips for gaining a competitive edge in international
markets out of sustainable business practices,"
Trevor Mallard said.
In November, the company
became the first apparel label in the world
to be given permission by Unesco to carry
the United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development Education logo on
its labelling. It is one of a small number
of organisations accredited internationally.
"The award reflects
well on Untouched World and on New Zealand
as a leader in sustainability, and it's
important to recognise sustainability champions
such as Peri Drysdale and the achievements
of her company.
"Research has shown
that consumers increasingly value sustainability
when they buy products and Untouched World
has used its environmental integrity to
gain a competitive edge in international
markets. Sustainability making good business
sense is fantastic for New Zealand businesses
and for New Zealand’s environment."
"Working in partnership
with business is a fundamental part of the
Labour-led government’s commitment to creating
a sustainable New Zealand. The government
is committed to helping business reduce
any impacts on the environment, at the same
time assisting them in international markets
as world leading exponents of smart and
innovative responses to sustainability.
"To achieve this,
the Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable
Business Group has been set up to help New
Zealand firms integrate sustainability into
business strategies, practices, organisational
cultures and management structures.
"Untouched World
is an excellent role model for other kiwi
companies to follow. But everyone can do
their bit for the environment. The interactive
website www.sustainability.govt.nz/ gives
kiwis practical information and invites
them to register their steps for sustainability
at 'My Next Step'," Trevor Mallard
said.
