British public favour energy system change, study shows

PA 238/13 The values and factors that influence people when deciding whether to accept or reject changes to the energy system are revealed for the first time by research involving Nottingham academics. The findings of the study, which was led by Cardiff University and draws on expertise from The University of Nottingham, reveal that people in Britain are fully supportive of the idea of energy change. Professor Nick Pidgeon of Cardiff University, who led the research team, states: "Our participants saw the bigger picture of energy system transformation, and they were overwhelmingly committed to moving away from fossil fuels towards renewable forms of energy production, and to lowering energy demand "Our research has shown clearly that people are more likely to accept changes that show signs of commitment to their underlying values, such as energy system components that are clean, efficient, fair and safe. The public is also keen for policy makers to clarify how current changes to the energy system fit with longer-term plans, and to develop an intelligible and coherent strategy for this." The research, unveiled today at the Royal Society and funded by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), highlights key factors that are influential in public assessments of proposed changes.