Consumers Would Rather Use Less Energy Than Pay More Taxes for the Environment

Our Privacy Policy has been updated! The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy. For more information on how The Conference Board collects and uses personal data, please visit our privacy policy. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "OK", you acknowledge our privacy policy and consent to the use of cookies.

Consumers Would Rather Use Less Energy Than Pay More Taxes for the Environment

14 September 2023 / Quick Take

Download Quick Take

Insight for What’s Ahead

The Consumer Confidence Survey^® of 2,145 US respondents shows most consumers are willing to change their energy consumption at home, while fewer are willing to change their habits/lifestyle or try sustainable brands/products.

Looking Ahead

Price and convenience are important motivators of change. An earlier survey by The Conference Board showed that most consumers are concerned about and have been affected by climate change. Businesses should explore which environmentally friendly changes their target segments would be willing to make and consider augmenting products/services to aid these lifestyle changes. Products and services that not only benefit the environment but also creatively cater to the demands of convenience and affordability can tap into this market.
Consumers are reluctant to pay higher taxes for clean energy. Paying more taxes to fund clean energy sources ranked lowest (12 percent) among changes people would be willing to make to positively affect the environment. This reluctance could pose a challenge to government efforts to push clean energy. To navigate this, government agencies should find a balance between funding environmental initiatives and minimizing the financial strain on taxpayers.

Author

Meenakshi Janardhanan

Meenakshi Janardhanan

Research Associate, Marketing & Communications
The Conference Board

Other Related Resources

Quick Take

US Consumers May Embrace Corporate Messages About Saving Food, Water, and Air

US Consumers May Embrace Corporate Messages About Saving Food, Water, and Air

April 11, 2024

Article

US Consumers Want More Specific Sustainability Terms and More Detail

US Consumers Want More Specific Sustainability Terms and More Detail

January 31, 2024

Article

Extreme Weather Inspires Cocoon Behaviors

Extreme Weather Inspires Cocoon Behaviors

January 30, 2024

Article

US Consumers Worry About Extreme Weather, but Unsure About Their Climate Impact

US Consumers Worry About Extreme Weather, but Unsure About Their Climate Impact

January 29, 2024

Article

Sustainability Needs a Sustainable Price, Especially in Inflationary Times

Sustainability Needs a Sustainable Price, Especially in Inflationary Times

January 26, 2024

Quick Take

Despite ESG Backlash, Customers Want More Sustainability & Information About It

Despite ESG Backlash, Customers Want More Sustainability & Information About It

December 11, 2023

Article

Walking on ESG Eggshells: Focus on 'Safe' Social Issues and Their Economic Value

Walking on ESG Eggshells: Focus on 'Safe' Social Issues and Their Economic Value

November 13, 2023

Article

Communicate Sustainability in Near-Term Goals, Economic Gains, and Simple Words

Communicate Sustainability in Near-Term Goals, Economic Gains, and Simple Words

November 13, 2023

Quick Take

Treating Employees Well Can Have Positive Ripple Effects in Consumer Markets

Treating Employees Well Can Have Positive Ripple Effects in Consumer Markets

November 06, 2023

Report

On Sustainability Communicators' Agenda: Labor Practices and Greenwashing Watch

On Sustainability Communicators' Agenda: Labor Practices and Greenwashing Watch

December 16, 2022

Report

Top Sustainability Features for US Consumers: Socially Responsible Labor Practices and Human Rights

Top Sustainability Features for US Consumers: Socially Responsible Labor Practices and Human Rights

December 13, 2022

Report

Economic Downturn Creates Additional Hurdle for Purchasing Sustainable Products

Economic Downturn Creates Additional Hurdle for Purchasing Sustainable Products

November 22, 2022

Report

Changes in Consumers' Habits Related to Climate Change May Require New Marketing and Business Models

Changes in Consumers' Habits Related to Climate Change May Require New Marketing and Business Models

October 26, 2022

Report

Getting Ahead of Greenwashing: A Primer for Stakeholders

Getting Ahead of Greenwashing: A Primer for Stakeholders

August 16, 2022

Report

Sustainability Features That Sway US Consumers Are Changing

Sustainability Features That Sway US Consumers Are Changing

April 17, 2022

Report

US Consumers Want Business to Do More on Sustainability

US Consumers Want Business to Do More on Sustainability

February 08, 2022

Article

Sustainable Consumption in Asia

Sustainable Consumption in Asia

June 01, 2020

Report

Sustainable Consumption in Asia: Why Is It Important, and Do Consumers Care?

Sustainable Consumption in Asia: Why Is It Important, and Do Consumers Care?

June 01, 2020

Report

Part 1: How Consumers Define Sustainability and View Organizations' Sustainability Efforts

Part 1: How Consumers Define Sustainability and View Organizations' Sustainability Efforts

February 05, 2020

Report

Part 2: How Sustainability Features Influence Consumers' Choices

Part 2: How Sustainability Features Influence Consumers' Choices

February 05, 2020

Article

Consumers' Attitudes about Sustainability

Consumers' Attitudes about Sustainability

February 05, 2020

Quick Take

US Consumers May Embrace Corporate Messages About Saving Food, Water, and Air

US Consumers May Embrace Corporate Messages About Saving Food, Water, and Air

April 11, 2024

Article

US Consumers Want More Specific Sustainability Terms and More Detail

US Consumers Want More Specific Sustainability Terms and More Detail

January 31, 2024

Article

Extreme Weather Inspires Cocoon Behaviors

Extreme Weather Inspires Cocoon Behaviors

January 30, 2024

Conference Board Sample Web Chat