Parents want to act on climate change but struggle to model low-carbon lifestyles

Parents are deeply worried about the climate crisis and their children’s future, but a new University of Bath study shows many struggle to live low‑carbon lives. Time pressures, lack of affordable options and structural barriers mean concern rarely translates into action. Researchers say parents remain a critical but under‑recognized group in climate policy, with huge potential to shape the next generation’s environmental values.

The study, published in Population & Environment, explores how UK parents of children under 15 understand and act on climate change, assessing their so‑called “carbon capability”—the ability to make informed, effective low‑carbon choices and influence others.

Based on a survey of 1,001 parents, 30 interviews and two focus groups, the research found that while parents feel a strong responsibility to safeguard their children’s future, most find it difficult to consistently model low‑carbon behaviors at home.

Key findings include:

• Compared to non‑parents, parents reported higher energy use, greater reliance on cars, and more plastic waste.
• Parents expressed guilt about their impact but said time pressures, convenience and children’s needs often outweighed their intentions.
• Many parents hesitated to discuss climate change with their children, fearing they might cause worry or anxiety. Yet most were open to learning and wanted guidance on how to have these conversations.
• While parents shape their children’s behaviors, children’s climate education sometimes boosted parental awareness and action.

Lead author Dr. Sam Hampton from the Department of Psychology, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) and the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change (ISCC) at the University of Bath said, “Parenting is an important moment of change, and parents are an under‑recognized group in society with unique experiences and influence. With the right mix of support and structural change—like improved public transport, affordable sustainable products and incentives for low‑carbon diets—parents could become powerful low‑carbon role models for the next generations.

“While they are not consistently acting as low‑carbon role models today, they have huge potential to shape their children’s values and behaviors—making them central to long‑term climate action.”

Charlotte Howell, co‑director of Parents for Future, said, “Parents feel the urgency of the climate crisis deeply, but many of us are held back by barriers beyond their control. Parents were already juggling a lot of plates before the cost of living crisis struck. But with more government support and inclusive policy, we can move from worry to powerful action and build the world our children deserve.”