|  | | | | Press Section | | | | |
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| | September 2008 | | | | | | | | SURVEY SHOWS HIGH LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT FOR POVERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | | |
Survey shows most people want to support environmental approach to poverty reduction, but do not understand ‘carbon offsetting’
A survey of public attitudes to poverty and the environment shows a high level of support for the environmental approach to poverty reduction but shows a low level of understanding of carbon offsetting.
The survey was carried out by Irish charity Vita, which supports sustainable development initiatives in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya.
76% of survey respondents said they felt responsible for making a difference in the world in terms of poverty reduction and the environment and 74% said they would offset their carbon footprint by supporting carbon reducing projects in Africa.
However, despite this positive response to carbon offsetting 74% of the survey respondents said they did understand what carbon offsetting means and 40% of people did not know what carbon footprint means. 91% said they have never measured their carbon footprint and 100% said they did not know how much carbon they emit.
Incoming Vita Chief Executive John Weakliam said: “Our survey has shown that people want to get involved and help poorer communities through environmental approaches, yet many do not understand how this can be done. There is a message here to make carbon footprinting and carbon offsetting better understood among the wider public.
Mr Weakliam continued: “It is also interesting that 51% of people said they had made changes to their lifestyle to reduce carbon footprint. If these changes could also be applied to help African communities, we could see significant reductions in CO2 emissions and sustainable improvements in living conditions in Africa. This is the way forward if we want these poorer communities to be able to support themselves in the long term.”
“We have tailored our development projects to be both poverty reducing and environmentally sustainable - by planting ‘miracle’ Moringa Trees, building energy efficient stoves, or using water saving drip irrigation to grow more local crops. By supporting an environmentally sustainable approach to development in Africa individuals and organisations can reduce poverty in Africa, while also contributing to a better environment both at home and abroad.”
Overall the survey showed a strong commitment to environmental and sustainable living. 79% of people said social and environmental commitment is important to them when dealing with a business. 89% of people said they would have more trust in an organisation that is environmentally and socially responsible.
The survey was carried out at the National Ploughing Championships and based on a sample of 100 participants.
For further information, please contact:
John Weakliam, Incoming Chief Executive, Vita: 01 882 0108 / 087 622 5950.
Ronan Cavanagh, Montague Communications: 01 830 3116 or 086 317 9731
Elaine Ryan, Montague Communications 01 830 3116 or 087 295 1096
About Vita
Vita is an Irish international development agency established in 1989. Its mission is to enable poor and marginalised communities in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya to improve their livelihoods in ways which are innovative, appropriate and environmentally sustainable, while respecting the human rights and dignity of all
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