Plymouth top of the table when it comes to being green, says new National Lottery research

Proud Plymouth residents’ planet-saving exploits are blazing a trail for the rest of the UK to follow.

But TV naturalist Chris Packham still issued a rousing rallying cry after it was revealed the city is bucking the national trend – with seven in ten Brits admitting they’re not doing enough to help the environment.

Lockdown has transformed the way we live our lives and new figures today uncover the staggering impact of the pandemic on our carbon footprint.

But Plymouth tops the list of the cities where people believe they’re doing enough to be green, with 43 per cent surveyed reckoning they’re pulling their weight compared to the national average of just over three in ten.

Just two per cent of Plymouth admit to doing absolutely nothing to help the environment, with almost three in five (55 per cent) believing they don’t do enough and could do more.

Research from The National Lottery showed Plymouth is a shining light for the country to take inspiration from but Packham, a fervent environmental campaigner, hopes the national figures serve as a wakeup call.

The Springwatch presenter, 59, said: “If we do want to make the future a greener – and greater – place for future generations, we do really need to start changing our behaviour today.

“It’s good that the public is being so honest about not doing enough to be environmentally friendly – but it does surprise me the figure is so high.

“Especially when it’s so easy to be green – it starts in our own homes and with our own behaviour.”

Cardiff (39 per cent), Bristol (37 per cent) and Brighton (36 per cent) are among the other UK cities where the highest proportion of people believe they’re doing enough to be green, with 36 per cent of all respondents in the South West saying they do enough.

But Glasgow (27 per cent), Edinburgh (28 per cent) and London (28 per cent) and are among the key culprits with the fewest people saying they do enough, with just 29 per cent of respondents in Sheffield also reckoning they’re pulling their weight.

The findings come as part of nationwide National Lottery research, which also revealed a whopping seven in ten of us (73 per cent) admit to using more electricity during lockdown.

And over a third (34 per cent) say they have had the heating on more than ever before.

But almost half (47 per cent) still reckon the world will be a greener place for future generations, with many admitting they will change their habits for the better as restrictions finally ease.

National Lottery research also revealed the volume of Brits who want to change their ways for the better, with walking topping the list of desired new habits in a post-pandemic world.

Exactly four in ten of us plan to start racking up our step count, while using public transport – rather than a car – and holidaying locally sit joint-second at 27 per cent.

The National Lottery has contributed more than £2.2bn towards green projects and initiatives across heritage, art, community and sport since 2010.

The support has given a shot in the arm to vital projects all around the country – from community groups preserving natural habitats to art installations educating young people on climate change.

And this week, The National Lottery are also releasing a series of videos featuring five amazing Lottery-funded environmental projects.

You can watch the videos and discover how easy it is to be greener at lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/planetary-promise.

And proud Packham added: “The National Lottery has given a staggering amount of funding to help communities at a local and regional level to tackle climate change.

“And it’s thanks to National Lottery players – who raise £30 million a week for good causes – that this work can happen.”

The National Lottery is encouraging the public to make a vital contribution to the future of our planet by making a #PlanetaryPromise on social media between Monday 19th April – 23rd April. The #PlanetaryPromise is a chance for you to do your bit for the environment by making a conscious commitment to either start or stop something that could be helping or harming our planet. To find out more, visit https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/stories/planetary-promise