Climate change in a cost of living crisis: Can consumers afford sustainability?

We live in a context of climate crisis.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in April said it’s ‘now or never’ if global warming is to be held within 1.5°C in order to avoid environmental disaster.

But it’s not the only major issue facing New Zealand consumers, with the cost-of-living and housing crises firmly front of mind. Earlier this year the price of food had its biggest annual increase in more than 10 years. Inflation is at a 30-year high, with mortgage rates and rental costs rising. Petrol has hit more than $3 a litre in recent months.

With such immediate concerns, seemingly far-off issues such as climate change tend to go on the backburner.

Most people are aware of the scale of climate change and are concerned about its impacts, but our research shows it is hard for consumers to think about the future when they’re struggling to cope in the present.

NZ consumers are climate conscious

But ‘green’ products cost more

Is systemic change the answer?

The role for policymakers

It's not easy being green... but it should be!

We all want to make the right environmental choices, but it's not always easy. Nearly two-thirds of consumers believe companies aren’t doing enough to reduce their environmental impacts. We're here to challenge companies that aren’t doing more to clean up their act but we can't do it without you. Join now to support our work.

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Empowering consumers

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