West Lothian top 'Area for a Beautiful Future'

Smart Energy GB has launched ‘Areas for a Beautiful Future’ a new index celebrating the communities across Great Britain taking action to be more sustainable, with West Lothian recognised as the top of the pile.

With public and political attention on climate change at an all-time high, the index recognises the families and communities who are taking simple, positive steps at home, that together will add up to create a cleaner, greener, smarter future for everyone.

West Lothian came out top overall, with residents recycling 61 per cent of waste and 43 per cent of households having a smart meter installed. In England, Cheshire West and Chester was deemed the most successful and Bridgend the top scorer in Wales.

The poll of 2,000 Brits also showed that 75 per cent of Brits still think they could do more to be more sustainable and energy efficient in the home, with 33 per cent being worried about their children or grandchildren’s futures.

Analysing why we’re not being more sustainable – 20 per cent think it costs too much and 26 per cent believe it’s too much effort. Additionally, one in 10 feel they won’t make an impact as one individual.

Robert Cheesewright, director of Corporate Affairs for Smart Energy GB said: “It’s great to see that communities, individuals and families up and down Great Britain are taking simple, small steps towards a greener tomorrow. Smart meters can’t solve climate change on their own, but they are the building blocks of a reliable, clean and affordable energy system for the future. We’d like to congratulate all of those identified by our top 30 Index, especially the residents of West Lothian.”