If you’re going to deck the halls with boughs of holly this Christmas you might want to stick to the leaves and hold the berries. If a report by the Energy Saving Trust is right, then red is out and green is in when it comes to electronic presents.
According to the study, more than a third of Brits who say they will buy gadgets as Christmas presents will buy energy efficient versions.
If we were trying to be negative about this we’d run the story “Two thirds of Brits ignore environmental concerns at Xmas”. But frankly one third actually caring about what they buy is a good start.
Better still, a hardcore 25 per cent of people say they will choose only energy-efficient gifts for friends and family.
Interestingly, 45 per cent of Brits who do plan to buy electronic products will spend £250 or more on them.
Presents weren’t people’s only green concerns, though.
Eighteen per cent would be happy to ditch the Christmas lights on the outside of their home in a bid to save energy, while 90 per cent say they will still consider buying green electrical products this yule despite the credit crunch.
Almost a quarter of those surveyed also said they would be prepared to drive less or use public transport over the yuletide period.
The research coincides with the launch of the Energy Saving Trust’s 3,000th Energy Saving Recommended product, which will be on the shelves in time for the Christmas rush.
“It really is possible for a normal UK family to be truly ‘green’ at Christmas,” said chief executive Philip Sellwood.
“By taking a number of simple measures such as turning electrical products off at the switch and only buying Energy Saving Recommended electrical devices, Christmas needn’t be an energy-sapping season.