The UK may see a 50% rise in environmental activity as a result of rocketing fuel and energy costs, according to Tescocompare.

The car and home insurance comparison site has revealed that price rises for such items could push 22 million Brits to ‘go green’. A survey by the site showed 80% of Brits already believe they are above average when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Green actions by such consumers include recycling household waste (83%), switching off appliances at the mains (66%) and using energy-saving light bulbs (76%).

However, 61% still think they could do more for the environment, while 800,000 confess they do nothing at all. One in five Brits claims this is because going green is too expensive. But Tescocompare highlighted some environmentally-friendly activities that cost nothing, including washing clothes at 30 degrees, taking showers instead of baths and not overfilling the kettle.

Paul Baxter, spokesperson for Tescocompare, said: “Going green takes a little bit of effort but can reap huge rewards in the long and short term. The cost of living and household bills are creeping up, but there are lots of things that cost next to nothing that we can all do on a day-to-day basis to reduce our carbon footprint and energy bills. Simply turning gadgets off at the mains when you’re not using them is a sure-fire way to save the planet and the pound in your pocket.”