Consumer Perceptions on Sustainability & Energy Transition

With the effects of climate change, from extreme weather events to sea-level rise, being felt across the nation, issues around sustainability, climate change adaptation, and harnessing renewable energy resources have surged in prominence — capturing the attention of consumers, businesses, and world leaders alike.

In this report, we surveyed 4,032 U.S. adults to find out their concerns about the environment and its natural resources.

Key trends from the report include: 

1. Sustainability issues prompt high concern but questions linger as to who should drive change. A majority of U.S. consumers place recycling (71%), reducing pollution (73%), and improving ocean health and water quality (71%) as their top or one of their top environmental concerns. However, over half (55%) look to government agencies such as the EPA and DOE to spearhead the transition.
2. Support for clean energy transition exists broadly and in the home. On average, 61% of respondents believe that the advancement of solar, wind, and hydrogen energy technologies will positively influence various aspects of life. However, 32% express concerns that these renewable energy developments might compromise the reliability and resilience of the national electric grid. At the individual level, 75% of consumers say they actively monitor their home energy usage, leading many to make more sustainable, energy saving home improvements like installing solar panels.
3. Confusion over battery disposal risks more waste facility fires. Consumers find recycling important; however, confusion exists over what can be recycled — and how. In fact, over half (52%) of consumers do not know of a local collection point but 79% say that having a convenient drop-off option would make them more likely to recycle batteries. This lack of awareness has led to many batteries ending up in garbage trucks and landfills, with 36% of consumers throwing batteries in the trash or mixing them with other recyclables (30%). This behavior helps to explain the rise in waste management facility fires sparked by old lithium-ion batteries going into thermal runaway.