Marlow Town Council will launch a 'Sustainable Marlow Challenge' to encourage everyone in the town to go green.

The council made the pledge after it released survey results that revealed residents consider the environment and climate change the second most important local issue for Marlow.

The survey was carried out in late 2021 with support from polling firm Opinium, with only health deemed more important with the council saying this reflects "the high concern over Covid at the time."

The council's 'Sustainable Marlow Challenge' will be recommending sustainable behaviours that residents could try.

Initially, the council is inviting residents and community groups to join a working group to discuss what could go in it.

The survey also revealed the ways in which Marlow residents want to do more for the environment.

Nearly 60% of survey respondents expressed interest in switching to an electric vehicle.

Just under this, 55% of respondents said they would like to fit solar panels on their homes.

Almost half of the respondents said they would like to measure their personal carbon footprint.

The same proportion said they would like to switch their home heating from natural gas to an electric heat pump.

Over one-third of respondents said they would like to grow their own food, and one-third want to cycle more.

The survey also reveals what Marlow residents already do for the environment.

The most common reported sustainable behaviour is waste recycling, which nearly 90% of respondents already do.

Four in five respondents said they already walk more, and three-quarters said they have reduced the use of plastic.

Over half said they have fitted energy-saving lighting and appliances in their homes, and about half said they are flying less and eating less meat and dairy - the types of food with the highest global warming impact.

The survey also revealed that residents’ top priority for council action on the environment is better management of waste.

Illegal fly-tipping emerged as residents’ top concern, followed closely by more action to improve waste recycling, and then to control litter better.

Residents would like to see more school children walking or cycling to school and reducing air pollution is another priority.

Actions to make Marlow a greener, leafier town also got a thumbs up from respondents, who want more of the wildflower verges that the Town Council has started planting around the town, more roadside trees, and improvements to Marlow’s parks.

Chair of the town council's environment committee, Jocelyn Towns said: "Our findings provide a fantastic basis for the Sustainable Marlow Challenge.

"I am excited to now move forward with our plans for community engagement on sustainability."

A detailed report on the survey results can be downloaded at: https://www.marlow-tc.gov.uk/environment