Consumer Scotland has published a new blueprint for government and regulators to support them in tackling climate change from a consumer perspective.
The new framework will help policymakers, regulators and businesses make it easier for consumers to engage in Scotland’s transition to net zero and the country’s adaptation to climate change.
Alongside the environmental benefits, reducing carbon emissions can improve consumer wellbeing through better health, energy security and economic growth.
Enabling consumers to make low carbon choices, including how we heat our homes and how we travel, will play a significant part in responding to the climate emergency.
However, despite the contribution that consumers could make to combating climate change, too often it is overly complex, costly or confusing for them to do so.
Governments, regulators and businesses can act to design programmes to achieve net zero that work from a consumer perspective.
The Consumer Scotland framework for addressing climate change identifies cost, convenience, clarity and confidence as the four key issues which will affect consumers in moving to a more sustainable future.
For each of these the framework has set out key tests that must be met to ensure Scotland’s climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, regulation and practice is focused on consumers and considers the impacts decisions will have on them.
The key tests for policymakers include an awareness of consumer costs, support for those on low incomes, the availability of information and advice, protection from scams and whether consumers can get help if things go wrong.
Chief Executive of Consumer Scotland Sam Ghibaldan said:
“Across government, the wider public sector, and business, there needs to be a renewed drive to make sure consumers have the confidence, support and opportunity to benefit from participating in the net zero transition.
“To succeed, plans to tackle climate change must understand consumer behaviours. Our research shows that consumers expect key decision-makers to lead the way.
“By using the key tests set out in the framework governments, regulators and businesses can develop approaches that work for, and with, consumers in the transition to a sustainable and resilient future.
“Ensuring consumer support and participation is central to the response to climate change will enable everyone to play their part in delivering the change required.”
Consumer Scotland will work with a range of bodies - including the parliaments, governments, local government, regulators and businesses - to embed the framework in future decision-making.
Background
A consumer framework for addressing climate change
The framework followed collaborative work between Consumer Scotland and independent energy consultant Simon Gill of The Energy Landscape.
It is based on a range of evidence, including Consumer Scotland’s growing evidence base, and reflects a shared understanding of consumers, the way consumers view climate change, and the challenges a changing climate pose for us all.
Consumer Scotland is the statutory consumer body for consumers in Scotland.