Majority of Brits see reduced gas reliance as answer to crisis

More than half of British people see decreasing the country’s reliance on gas as the best long-term solution to tackle the energy crisis.

A survey of 2,000 people conducted by Opinium on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) revealed 51% believed limiting reliance on gas through more renewables or insulation was the best way forward.

Conversely just 9% believed North Sea exploration, and 8% fracking, were the best solutions in the longer term. As a short-term solution, 13% preferred removing green levies from bills.

Additionally respondents were asked about the causes of the crisis. Just over a third (34%) believed energy company profiteering was the main cause, while 29% blamed Russia for reducing gas supplies to Europe.

Growing global demand was cited by 28%, the pandemic by 18% and green levies by 13%.

ECIU found there was broad support for the UK’s net zero target, with just under three quarters (73%) expressing their support.

Less than a third (29%) believe the UK cannot afford policies to address climate change, while more than half (54%) believe the UK cannot afford not to act.

Simon Cran-McGreehin, head of analysis at ECIU, said: “The public’s finger is clearly on the pulse correctly identifying Russian interference and global gas demand as causes of the current gas crisis while also spotting that gas companies’ profits are rising in line with gas prices. They understand that gas bought in the UK is part of an international market, the price of which is driven by international forces.

“Net zero measures such as insulation and boosting British renewables are saving people money during this gas crisis. Early green levies drove down the costs and everyone now knows that new wind and solar are the cheapest way to make electricity in the UK.”

In response to the findings, an Energy UK spokesperson said: “It’s positive to see the backing for expansion of renewables and better insulation – along with broad support for the net zero target – as the longer-term solutions to the crisis.

“With different factors being highlighted in media and elsewhere as the cause of the crisis, it’s not surprising to see these being reflected here, even when some have more validity than others.

“When discussing the role of energy companies in general, it’s important to be clear that even before the current crisis, few, if any, suppliers were making any profit – which is underlined by the number who have exited recently in the wake of record wholesale prices, with those remaining in the market currently losing up to hundreds of pounds per customer.”