Behavioural changes 'critical to helping environmental legislation'

The importance of encouraging behavioural changes to help environmental legislation make a difference was recently highlighted.

Dr Will Swan, from the Centre for the Built Environment, suggested that people should be told how to change their habits in order to reduce the amount of energy they consume.

He stated that this alongside environmental legislation such as the Green Deal will help the country reduce its carbon emission levels.

"Behaviour can make as big a difference as putting in a new heating system," Dr Swan went on to say.

"Some people walk out of a room and consciously they will turn the light off and other people won't."

Dr Swan's views follow on from environment minister Edwin Poots' comments, recently saying people could cut down on waste and help the environment by making simple changes to their lifestyle.

These could include making a list before going shopping, buying loose fruit instead of packages and bringing their own bags to stores.

Posted by Lauren Steadman