More than three-quarters of Scots consumers are concerned about climate change, according to a new report - but just one in 10 would be likely to change their purchasing habits.

Research by Consumer Scotland found 76% said they were concerned about the environment, with the highest concern among younger age groups.

However, those concerns did not translate into action with only 10% saying they were 'very likely' to adjust their shopping habits due to climate change worries and 38% stating that doing so was 'unlikely'.

While a majority said they were 'very' or 'somewhat' likely to do so, 44% fell into the latter category.

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The report established that consumers were unclear about what they could do to help Scotland reach net zero, which the Scottish Government is aiming for by 2045.

However, nine of the last 13 targets have been missed, including the 2022 interim target.

A majority of consumers believe responsibility for tackling climate change primarily rests with governments, businesses and industry, with far fewer saying responsibility rests with consumers.

This is backed up by a 2017 report from the Carbon Disclosure Project which found that, since 1988, 71% of global emissions had been produced by just 100 fossil fuel companies

A Climate Watch report the year before found a further 18.4% came from agriculture, forestry and land use and 5.2% from industry. A relatively meagre 3.2% stemmed from waste with under 2% from landfills.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: “The scale of climate breakdown, and the existential threat it poses, demands government action.

“Part of that action is about ensuring people have the opportunity to do their part, like providing reliable and affordable public transport to help them get out of their cars, and changing our energy system so that the abundant renewable electricity Scotland produces is more affordable for people to use so they can switch away from fossil fuel.

“Unfortunately, despite widespread public support and the situation becoming ever more urgent, what we see today is governments moving backwards and even supporting fossil fuel expansion. The most powerful thing individuals can do is hold their governments to account and demand they take the action we know we need right across the economy.”

For the respondents the UK Government was ranked as having the most responsibility for tackling climate change, followed by the UK Government, local authorities, regulators and then consumers.

Businesses ranked sixth on the list but more respondents held business as the most responsible (18%) than they did consumers (10%).

Chief Executive of Consumer Scotland Sam Ghibaldan said: “Although many consumers in Scotland express concern about climate change, this is not translating into action at the pace and scale of change required.

“Making sustainable options more cost-effective and convenient for consumers so they feel like the default, simple choice is central to a successful transition. Our climate targets are unlikely to be met without this.

“Consumers are seeking clearer leadership and guidance to help them to make the choices that will help to tackle climate change. That means governments need to make it easier for consumers to make the changes being asked of them.

“The measures put in place must be designed for and responsive to the needs and priorities of consumers, including those in vulnerable circumstances or on low incomes.”

Cost and convenience were key factors behind an apparent reticence to change consumer habits in response to climate change, with things like recycling viewed as every day norms but things like electric vehicles considered too expensive and public transport too inconvenient.

The report also found that some of the terminology used by governments and stakeholders was confusing, with some not able to relate terms like 'net zero' or 'blue green infrastructure' to their own behaviours and choices.

Only 28% of survey respondents said they know a lot/completely about what they need to do to help Scotland reach net zero by 2045.

Laura Young, AKA climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer Less Waste Laura said: "It is a little surprising how people are unaware of some of the things they could do to be environmentally friendly in terms of their consumption, but we do live in a time where greenwashing is rife and I think people are confused about what they should be doing to be more climate-conscious.

“We have seen a growing amount of greenwashing, people are confused by so many different options and there’s not a lot of regulation around terms – there are really no thresholds you have to meet to call things eco-friendly, natural, sustainable.

"Sometimes the most sustainable thing is not consuming, so actually it’s about thinking about consumption differently and trying to move away from brand new stuff and toward reuse, repair and getting what you need without necessarily buying new.

“Sometimes that can be a hard message, we tend to fall into over-consumption in the global north and the west, so for a lot of people the most sustainable option is, for example, a repair café or looking to second hand.

"The environmental community needs to be putting across the benefits when you do this, because often when you’re making more sustainable choices you save money – some stuff might be more expensive but overall you tend to save money.

“You also get to find more of your things from community-oriented places and local businesses, so partly it’s about communicating that you can get a lot more benefits when you choose more sustainable options.

“Ultimately it comes down to changing habits, which no matter what sphere we’re looking at is hard.

“Actually lots of these changes can be more convenient or just the same. The classic example is that if you like to buy fashion online, there are loads of sustainable brands that have online shopping or second hand outlets like Depop or Vinted.

“Ultimately it’s around the messaging of this, because the worst thing to do is be preachy or making people feel guilty – it’s nobody’s intention and it doesn’t work.

“So it’s about showing people the positives, whether that’s saving money, saving time, or showing people how easy it can be as well.”