The responses to questions and more general comments on climate change highlighted that it is a key issue facing our county. Of over 1,500 responses received, 91% of responders said their awareness level was a lot or a fair amount, with three quarters of responses from people who say they worry a lot or a fair amount about the issues we face.
| Worry about climate change | Percentage of 1,357 responses |
|---|---|
| A lot | 50% |
| A fair bit | 24% |
| A bit | 11% |
| Not very much | 6% |
| Not at all | 10% |
A range of strong themes ran across all the feedback from barriers around public transport, the need for renewable energy generation, new developments and building standards, rooftop solar panels, more tree planting and putting the natural environment at the centre of development and restoration.
| What should our top three priorities be? | Percentage of 1,307 responses |
|---|---|
| Energy efficient built structures | 59% |
| Renewable energy growth | 54% |
| Encouraging everyone to reduce carbon emissions | 47% |
| Travel and transport | 46% |
| Cut waste by reducing and recycling | 35% |
| Capturing and storing carbon | 32% |
| Farming emissions | 27% |
| What actions have you taken to tackle climate change? | Percentage of 1,354 responses |
|---|---|
| Recycling | 89% |
| Reduced energy consumption | 80% |
| Reducing waste | 79% |
| Home energy improvements | 61% |
| More walking and cycling | 55% |
| Changed diet | 33% |
| More use of public transport | 29% |
| Installing renewable energy | 15% |
| Electric vehicle | 6% |
Those who took part in the survey were asked how confident they were that the approaches set out in our climate change plan will help. Overall:
- half of the responses to the survey were from people who said they were very confident, confident or somewhat confident the approach will help slow down a changing climate in North Yorkshire
- slightly more than half were from people who said they were confident, confident or somewhat confident the approach will help to prepare for a changing climate in North Yorkshire
- some 60% of the responses were very confident, confident or somewhat confident the approach will help nature to help us in North Yorkshire