New research from specialist lender Hodge has found that 52% of British householders are worried about the climate crisis.

A similar number (58%) agreed the environment was important to them when questioned about their attitudes towards climate change.

Hodge asked 2,000 people how they felt about the current state of the environment in support of its relationship with Sero – an energy technology and services company supporting the transition to net-zero across the residential housing sector, which Hodge invested in earlier this year.

62% also claimed to have a good understanding of the benefits of retrofitting their home to become more energy efficient, and 42% rated it as a significant priority to them.

Participants in the survey were also asked how they felt about Social Development Goals (SDGs) – set up by the United Nations in 2015 as a ‘shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future’ – with half of respondents admitting to not knowing what they are.

Of those who did know, the three most important SDGs to aim for were defined by those answering as being clean water; affordable and clean energy, and good health and wellbeing.

Emma Graham, business development director for Hodge, said: “It’s important in the midst of the energy crisis to note the many different pressures homeowners in the UK clearly feel exposed to at the moment, not just regarding the cost of energy, but what it is doing to the planet too.

“Many of us are aware of the targets now set within the UK and across the globe in reducing our carbon footprint, and our research shows that UK householders are taking the matter seriously and ultimately have a lot to think about when it comes to domestic energy.

“It’s great to see so many people in the UK actively taking on board what we are being told needs to happen globally in terms of SDGs, in order for the climate crisis to improve. And these findings are a clear indicator that the intent from householders in Britain to try and do their bit is indeed a serious one.

“Coupled with consistent uncertainty in so many other areas of the market, it’s perhaps not surprising that talk of us living in the grip of a ‘perma-crisis’ has come to the fore more prominently recently.

“So, it’s increasingly important intermediaries and those working in the financial sector continue to do their bit to help their clients through what continues to be a challenging time in so many different ways,” Emma added.