Majority of UK Adults Adjust Lifestyles for Climate Change
Public concern about the environment has moved well beyond debate. More than three-quarters of adults in Great Britain now say they have changed their lifestyles to address climate change. However, businesses appear far less engaged. The gap between household behaviour and corporate preparedness raises important questions for anyone trying to understand how the UK economy is responding to climate risk.
These findings come from the Office for National Statistics. They show that environmental action has become part of everyday life for millions of people. At the same time, they highlight a disconnect. Individual effort is growing, yet many businesses have not assessed the physical risks they face or taken steps to cut emissions.
Lifestyle changes now widespread across households
Between 7 August and 27 October 2024, the ONS found that 76% of adults in Great Britain had made at least some lifestyle changes to tackle environmental issues. Of those, 68% reported making "some" changes, while 9% said they had made "a lot" of changes.
Shopping habits were the most common area for action. Around 66% of adults who had changed their behaviour did so through their purchasing decisions. Travel was the second most frequently adjusted area, with 50% of those who had made changes reporting modifications to how they move around.
Furthermore, 57% of adults considered climate change and the environment an important issue facing the UK in October 2024. That figure sits below a recent high of 69%, which was recorded between July and August 2023. Nevertheless, it shows sustained attention to the subject.
Demographic patterns emerged clearly. People with a degree or equivalent qualification were more likely to report lifestyle changes, at 85%. Those in professional occupations showed the same proportion. Women were also more likely than men to take action, with 81% reporting changes compared to a lower figure for men.
Consequently, environmental behaviour is no longer confined to a small group. It has spread across age groups, income levels, and regions. The consistency of the data suggests that concern has translated into tangible shifts in household routines.
Climate impacts already affecting daily life
People are not just responding to abstract warnings. The ONS data shows that around 66% of adults experienced at least one climate-related impact during the previous 12 months. Strong winds affected 40% of respondents, making them the most commonly reported effect. Flooding was cited by 35%, while heatwaves affected 30%.
Looking ahead, approximately 83% of adults expected to experience at least one climate-related impact over the next decade. The most frequently anticipated risks included increased temperatures, flooding, stronger winds, rising sea levels or coastal erosion, and water shortages.
As a result, lifestyle changes are occurring alongside direct experience of weather events. This matters because it shows that public engagement is not solely driven by media coverage or policy campaigns. Many people are adjusting their behaviour in response to conditions they have already encountered.
Business concern falling despite rising physical risks
The picture shifts sharply when you look at business attitudes. In late September 2024, only 28% of UK businesses said they were very or somewhat concerned about the impact climate change might have on their operations. That figure had declined from 34% in June 2024.
Meanwhile, 56% of businesses said they were not concerned. This was the highest proportion recorded since the ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey introduced the question in September 2022.
Emissions reduction measures also remain limited. In late September 2024, 39% of businesses reported taking no action to reduce carbon emissions. The most common steps taken were switching to LED lighting, which 30% had done, and adjusting heating or cooling systems, undertaken by 20%. Only 17% had installed a smart meter.
Adaptation to physical climate risks was even less widespread. Around 15% of businesses had taken action to address supply-chain disruption or distribution problems. Just 9% had adapted to temperature increases, and 6% had responded to increased flooding.
Risk assessment figures were particularly striking. Supply-chain disruption was the most commonly assessed risk, yet only 8% of businesses had evaluated it. Overall, 74% of businesses had not assessed any of the climate risks included in the ONS survey, such as flooding, coastal erosion, temperature increases, or water scarcity.
Why some households have not changed behaviour
Not everyone has made lifestyle changes. Among adults who reported taking no action, the reasons reveal important barriers. Large polluters should change first, according to 34% of this group. Another 32% believed that individual changes would not make a difference. Cost was also a factor, with 24% saying that environmental changes were too expensive.
These responses highlight a tension. Public willingness exists, but it can be constrained by affordability, doubts about effectiveness, and perceptions that responsibility should fall primarily on high-emitting companies and institutions. Consequently, the policy environment shapes how far individual action can go.
For businesses, the challenge is different. Many have not yet assessed the risks that climate change poses to their operations. Supply chains can be disrupted by flooding, heat, or water shortages. Insurance costs may rise in vulnerable areas. Workforce availability can be affected by extreme weather. Without formal assessment, these risks remain unquantified and unmanaged.
Sector differences and regional variation
The ONS data does not break down business responses by sector in full detail. However, it is reasonable to expect variation. Firms in agriculture, logistics, construction, and food production face more immediate physical risks than those in some service sectors. Similarly, businesses with international supply chains may face different exposure than those operating domestically.
Regional factors also matter. Coastal businesses face rising sea levels and erosion. Those in flood-prone areas need to plan for increased water-related disruption. Heatwaves affect industries that rely on outdoor work or temperature-sensitive processes. These differences mean that one-size-fits-all approaches to climate risk are unlikely to work.
For SMEs, resource constraints add another layer of difficulty. Larger firms often have dedicated sustainability teams and access to specialist advice. Smaller businesses may lack the capacity to assess risks formally or to invest in emissions reduction without external support.
What the gap between public and business action means
The contrast between household and business behaviour is significant. Public engagement has grown steadily. Lifestyle changes are now reported by a large majority of adults. Yet business concern has fallen, and many firms have not assessed key risks or reduced emissions in meaningful ways.
This gap could become more consequential over time. As climate impacts become more frequent, businesses that have not assessed their vulnerabilities may face higher costs, operational disruption, or loss of competitive advantage. Procurement standards are also tightening. Public sector suppliers must now demonstrate carbon reduction plans to bid for contracts worth more than £5 million per year, under Procurement Policy Note 06/21.
Consequently, businesses that treat climate risk as a distant concern may find themselves at a disadvantage. Supply-chain partners, investors, insurers, and customers are all asking more questions about environmental performance. Firms that cannot answer those questions clearly may lose opportunities.
Key findings from the ONS data
- 76% of adults in Great Britain made at least some lifestyle changes to address climate change between August and October 2024.
- 66% of those who changed behaviour did so through shopping habits, while 50% adjusted their travel patterns.
- Around 66% of adults experienced at least one climate-related impact in the previous 12 months, with strong winds, flooding, and heatwaves the most common.
- Only 28% of UK businesses were concerned about climate change impacts in late September 2024, down from 34% in June 2024.
- 74% of businesses had not assessed any climate risks, including flooding, temperature increases, or water scarcity.
- 39% of businesses had taken no action to reduce carbon emissions, and adaptation to physical risks remained limited.
- Among adults who had not changed their lifestyles, 34% said large polluters should change first, and 32% believed individual action would not make a difference.
How businesses can respond to rising climate risk
Assessing climate risk does not require a large team or expensive consultants. It starts with understanding exposure. Which parts of your operation depend on stable weather, reliable transport, or predictable water supply? Where do your raw materials come from, and what risks do those regions face? How might extreme heat, flooding, or storms affect your workforce, premises, or customers?
Once you have identified the risks, you can begin to prioritise. Not all risks require immediate action, but all should be documented. A formal risk register helps you track what you have assessed, what gaps remain, and where further investigation is needed.
Emissions reduction is equally important. Many businesses start with energy use because it offers both cost savings and measurable carbon cuts. Switching to LED lighting, upgrading insulation, and installing smart meters are straightforward steps. Transport is often the next area to tackle, particularly for firms with delivery fleets or high business mileage.
For businesses that need to demonstrate compliance, carbon reporting and net-zero programs provide structured support. These services help you measure emissions, identify reduction opportunities, and meet the requirements set by clients or regulators.
Supply-chain resilience is another practical concern. If you rely on a single supplier for critical components, consider what would happen if that supplier experienced flooding, heat damage, or transport disruption. Diversifying suppliers or holding larger inventory buffers may reduce vulnerability.
Ultimately, climate risk is not a separate issue from operational risk. It affects the same areas you already manage: costs, supply chains, staffing, insurance, and customer expectations. Treating it as part of standard business planning makes it easier to integrate into existing processes.
Policy support and regulatory direction
Government policy is starting to reinforce the case for business action. Procurement Policy Note 06/21 requires carbon reduction plans for larger public sector contracts. The UK's legally binding net-zero target creates a long-term direction of travel. Energy performance standards for commercial buildings are being tightened. These measures signal that regulatory pressure will continue to grow.
At the same time, support is available. The SBS Academy offers training on carbon reporting, Scope 3 emissions, and climate risk assessment. These resources help smaller firms build internal capacity without needing to hire external specialists immediately.
Financial incentives also exist, though they vary by sector and region. Grants for energy efficiency, low-carbon transport, and renewable energy installations are available from local authorities, devolved governments, and sector-specific schemes. Researching what applies to your business can uncover opportunities to reduce upfront costs.
Where to find authoritative guidance and data
The Office for National Statistics publishes regular data on public attitudes and business responses to climate change. Their Climate Change Insights series provides updated figures and analysis. This is a reliable source for understanding how concern and behaviour are shifting over time.
For risk assessment frameworks, the UK government's climate adaptation reporting guidance offers a starting point. The Environment Agency publishes flood risk maps and long-term climate projections that can help you understand local vulnerabilities. The Met Office also provides climate data tailored to business planning.
Sector-specific guidance is available from industry bodies. The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply offers resources on sustainable procurement, while the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment publishes tools for environmental risk management.
For businesses that need to measure and report emissions, the UK government's greenhouse gas reporting guidance sets out the methodology. This is the standard framework used for compliance reporting and voluntary disclosure. Following it ensures consistency and comparability with other organisations.
Finally, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 provides detailed requirements for carbon reduction plans in public sector supply chains. Understanding these rules is essential for any business that bids for government contracts or supplies public sector clients indirectly.