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Sustainable development Household Sustainability Benchmark Survey Online version
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3 New Zealanders’ Sustainable Actions/Behaviours continued
3.5 Transport
In comparison to the other areas examined, New Zealanders are doing less to be sustainable in relation to transportation. For example, not only are they engaging in just 2.6 actions on average, out of a list of six prompted actions (please refer to Table 22 for the full range of sustainable actions), the frequency with which some of these actions are being performed is also relatively low.
To illustrate this, very few respondents reported regularly having ‘car-less days’ (23 percent), ‘using public transport’ (22 percent) and ‘car pooling’ (20 percent).
In comparison, many respondents have adopted sustainable actions and behaviours that do not necessarily decrease the extent to which they use their motor vehicles. For example, 81 percent reported ‘maintaining their vehicle’ and 64 percent reported ‘modifying their driving style’ in order to not use so much fuel.
While no significant differences were found by gender, several differences across age groups were found. For example, those in the youngest age group (18–29 years) were significantly more likely to report that they car pool. Those in the older age groups (50–59 years and 60+ years) were significantly less likely to report this.
Table 22: Sustainable actions/behaviours – transport
Now thinking about your transport and how you get around. Can you tell me which of the following things you do regularly, out of habit?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maintain your motor vehicle so you don’t use as much fuel |
81 |
80 |
82 |
65 |
90 |
89 |
87 |
77 |
|
Modify your driving style so you don’t use so much fuel |
64 |
66 |
62 |
54 |
61 |
70 |
71 |
65 |
|
Walk or cycle instead of drive a private vehicle |
48 |
47 |
50 |
52 |
44 |
47 |
40 |
55 |
|
Have car-less days |
23 |
17 |
29 |
25 |
25 |
20 |
19 |
26 |
|
Use public transport |
22 |
20 |
23 |
37 |
20 |
18 |
14 |
18 |
|
Car pool |
20 |
17 |
23 |
38 |
24 |
17 |
9 |
11 |
|
Other |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
None of these |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
|
Don’t know |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
Not surprisingly, a significant proportion of respondents (60 percent) mentioned the financial benefits associated with engaging in sustainable action in this area. In addition to the notion that ‘it’s easier and more convenient’ (52 percent) and ‘it’s good for them and their family’s health and well-being’ (46 percent), half (52 percent) reported that they engage in such actions because ‘it’s good for the environment’.
While no significant differences were found by gender, respondents in the youngest age group (18–29 years) were significantly more likely to report that they do not own or have access to a private vehicle. This is likely to have had an impact on their responses to questions in this area.
Table 23: Sustainable actions/behaviours – transport – reasons
And for which of the following reasons do you do these things? Is it ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
To save money |
60 |
60 |
61 |
62 |
59 |
66 |
62 |
54 |
|
It’s easier and more convenient |
52 |
50 |
54 |
59 |
55 |
49 |
51 |
49 |
|
It’s good for the environment |
49 |
44 |
54 |
44 |
43 |
54 |
54 |
53 |
|
Because it’s good for you and your family’s health and well-being |
46 |
39 |
52 |
39 |
42 |
51 |
42 |
53 |
|
It’s what your friends are doing |
21 |
21 |
20 |
23 |
19 |
17 |
19 |
23 |
|
Don’t own or have access to a private vehicle |
5 |
4 |
6 |
15 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Habit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Other |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who deal with transport in at least one sustainable way.
While some respondents found these actions easy and convenient, others found them to be difficult and inconvenient (39 percent reported that they don’t do these things, or more of these things because of the time/hassle involved).
The restrictions that sustainable actions in this area can impose on lifestyle were also a major concern for some (18 percent).
There were no significant differences found by gender. However, those in the oldest age group were significantly less likely to report that they do not engage in sustainable actions relating to transport because ‘it takes too much time and is a hassle’.
Table 24: Sustainable actions/behaviours – transport – barriers
And for what reasons are you not doing these things/not doing more of these things?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Takes too much time and is a hassle |
39 |
35 |
42 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
33 |
27 |
|
Restricts your lifestyle |
18 |
18 |
19 |
17 |
21 |
20 |
19 |
16 |
|
Do not have access to public transport |
15 |
14 |
16 |
11 |
17 |
14 |
18 |
16 |
|
Don’t know what else, or what more you can do |
14 |
13 |
15 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
15 |
22 |
|
It costs too much |
7 |
9 |
5 |
12 |
6 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
|
I simply forget |
4 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
Don’t see why you should because hardly anyone else is doing it |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
It’s mainly up to the Government and business |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Other |
8 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
10 |
11 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
10 |
15 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
3.6 Major purchases
3.6.1 Building and/or renovating a home
Overall, the extent to which New Zealanders are being sustainable in relation to building or renovating a home is relatively low. That is, respondents that had built, purchased or renovated a home in the past two years had only done an average of 2.9 from a prompted list of eight sustainable actions (please refer to Table 25 for the full range of sustainable actions.).
While some actions such as ‘designing the home to take maximum advantage of natural light and sun’ (53 percent) and ‘installing thermal curtains and drapes’ (50 percent) were undertaken with relatively high frequency, others such as ‘installing insulation under the floor’ (24 percent) and ‘double glazing the windows’ (15 percent) were not.
There were no significant differences by gender or age.
Table 25: Sustainable actions/behaviours – building, purchasing or renovating a home
When you built, purchased or renovated your home, which of the following things did you do? Did you ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Design it to take maximum advantage of natural light and the sun |
53 |
55 |
51 |
50 |
51 |
50 |
61 |
56 |
|
Install thermal curtains and drapes |
50 |
48 |
51 |
36 |
58 |
54 |
50 |
44 |
|
Install insulation in the walls and/or ceiling, beyond what’s legally required by the Building Code |
47 |
51 |
44 |
42 |
47 |
54 |
47 |
44 |
|
Install any water-saving devices, like dual-flushing toilets and special shower heads |
40 |
42 |
38 |
24 |
38 |
42 |
47 |
45 |
|
Insulate your hot water cylinder or pipes |
34 |
41 |
27 |
44 |
31 |
38 |
21 |
36 |
|
Install energy efficient heating systems, such as heat pumps, solar heating or pellet burners |
32 |
36 |
27 |
22 |
36 |
31 |
31 |
34 |
|
Install insulation under the floor |
24 |
24 |
24 |
29 |
30 |
23 |
17 |
21 |
|
Double glaze your windows |
15 |
16 |
14 |
17 |
14 |
12 |
13 |
20 |
|
Other |
8 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
|
None of these |
10 |
7 |
12 |
17 |
9 |
7 |
12 |
7 |
|
Don’t know |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who have built, purchased or renovated a home.
Half (49 percent) of those respondents that had taken at least one sustainable action when building, purchasing or renovating a home, mentioned that they did these things because ‘it’s good for the environment’. This was, however, just one of a number of benefits, with others including the positive financial implications (65 percent noted they will save money on energy bills) and the positive health implications for themselves and their family (57 percent).
Table 26: Sustainable actions/behaviours – building, purchasing or renovating a home – reasons
And for which of the following reasons did you do these things? Was it to ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Save money on energy bills |
65 |
64 |
65 |
59 |
66 |
70 |
63 |
61 |
|
For you or your family’s health and wellbeing |
57 |
55 |
59 |
50 |
64 |
60 |
57 |
52 |
|
It’s good for the environment |
49 |
50 |
49 |
36 |
43 |
56 |
48 |
61 |
|
It’s what your friends are doing |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
|
It needed doing/made the house nicer/increased value |
5 |
5 |
4 |
12 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Other |
5 |
7 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who have built, purchased or renovated a home and have taken at least one sustainable action.
The most frequently identified reason for not engaging in sustainable actions relating to home building/purchasing/renovation was the cost associated with installing products (56 percent mentioned this). In addition, one-fifth (21 percent) identified a lack of knowledge about what else or what more they could do in this regard.
While there were no significant differences by gender, those in the oldest age group (60+ years) were significantly less likely to report not doing these things because of the associated cost.
Table 27: Sustainable actions/behaviours – building, purchasing or renovating a home – barriers
And for which of the following reasons did you not do these things/do more of these things? Was it because ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
It costs too much to install these products |
56 |
53 |
59 |
71 |
68 |
59 |
55 |
24 |
|
Don’t know what else, or what more you can do |
21 |
19 |
22 |
19 |
16 |
21 |
16 |
31 |
|
The payback is not immediate |
16 |
22 |
11 |
22 |
11 |
20 |
18 |
11 |
|
Didn’t know enough about it |
14 |
10 |
17 |
22 |
19 |
13 |
13 |
1 |
|
Takes too much time and is a hassle |
11 |
13 |
10 |
22 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
5 |
|
Reasons associated with house/property (e.g. pre-existing conditions) |
8 |
7 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
11 |
11 |
|
Restricts your lifestyle |
4 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
|
Don’t see why you should because hardly anyone else is doing it |
2 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Other |
4 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
10 |
10 |
10 |
3 |
9 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
|
Refused |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who have built, purchased or renovated a home.
3.6.2 Household appliances
Overall, New Zealanders are reasonably conscious of being sustainable when making major purchasing decisions. For example, two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents who had purchased a new household appliance in the past two years had specifically looked for an appliance that was energy efficient.
While there were no differences by gender in this regard, those in the oldest age group (60+ years) were significantly less likely to report that they did not specifically look for an energy efficient appliance (Table 28).
Table 28: Sustainable actions/behaviours – purchasing whiteware – predisposed towards energy efficiency
When you purchased your new fridge, cooking, washing or drying appliance, did you specifically look for one that was energy efficient?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yes |
64 |
64 |
65 |
50 |
58 |
61 |
71 |
77 |
|
No |
34 |
34 |
33 |
46 |
42 |
38 |
27 |
19 |
|
Don’t know |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Total may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who purchased a new household appliance.
When asked to identify why they did not specifically look for a product that was energy efficient, respondents tended to mention that they were more interested in the cost (56 percent) or the features (42 percent). There were no significant differences by gender or age.
Table 29: Sustainable actions/behaviours – purchasing whiteware – barriers
And for which of the following reasons did you not do this? Was it because ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
You were more interested in the cost |
56 |
54 |
58 |
74 |
63 |
60 |
39 |
25 |
|
You were more interested in the features |
42 |
44 |
41 |
33 |
43 |
51 |
39 |
40 |
|
Or because you didn’t know enough about energy efficient appliances |
32 |
24 |
40 |
44 |
26 |
35 |
31 |
20 |
|
You were more interested in the design and look of the appliance |
28 |
32 |
24 |
30 |
29 |
26 |
35 |
20 |
|
More interested in brand/performance |
4 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
19 |
|
Other |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
15 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who purchased a new cooking or heating appliance, but didn’t look for one that was specifically energy efficient.
3.6.3 Motor vehicles
To a certain extent, New Zealanders are also acting sustainably when purchasing motor vehicles. That is, 59 percent of respondents that had purchased a new or used car in the past two years had specifically factored in the fuel economy of the car to their purchasing decision.
No differences by gender or age were found.
Table 30: Sustainable actions/behaviours – motor vehicle purchase – predisposed towards energy efficiency
When you purchased your new or used car, did you choose a vehicle with high fuel economy?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yes |
59 |
58 |
62 |
54 |
56 |
59 |
67 |
65 |
|
No |
36 |
39 |
33 |
39 |
39 |
33 |
33 |
34 |
|
Don’t know |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Total may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who purchased a new car.
Again, respondents that did not specifically look at the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles when making their purchasing decision were more interested in other aspects of the vehicle such as ‘the design and look’ (50 percent), ‘the cost’ (49 percent), ‘the features’ (46 percent) and ‘the performance’ (42 percent).
Table 31: Sustainable actions/behaviours – motor vehicle purchase – barriers
And for which of the following reasons did you not do this? Was it because ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
You were more interested in the design and look of the vehicle |
50 |
50 |
51 |
59 |
55 |
50 |
42 |
39 |
|
You were more interested in its cost |
49 |
42 |
58 |
65 |
52 |
49 |
34 |
36 |
|
You were more interested in its features |
46 |
47 |
44 |
52 |
47 |
32 |
52 |
50 |
|
You were more interested in its performance |
42 |
49 |
33 |
52 |
49 |
37 |
26 |
35 |
|
You were more interested in the brand |
27 |
32 |
22 |
29 |
32 |
25 |
23 |
24 |
|
You didn’t know enough about energy efficient vehicles |
15 |
13 |
17 |
34 |
12 |
5 |
3 |
18 |
|
Or fuel economy is not important because you don’t drive much |
13 |
10 |
16 |
7 |
15 |
13 |
18 |
11 |
|
Other |
6 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
7 |
11 |
7 |
3 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents who purchased a new car, but didn’t choose a vehicle with high fuel economy.
