Families 'scared' over impact of climate change on energy bills

Winter energy bills are causing great anxiety for families wondering how they will afford to heat their homes, survey showed. File picture

Irish people are more concerned about the impact of climate change on the cost of living than the environmental consequences of global warming, a survey has found, while two-thirds believe emissions targets will be forgotten.

The survey of 2,000 people found more than four out of five respondents believe the country should be doing more to become energy independent, rather than relying on importing traditional fossil fuels.