A sustainable future must work for consumers

Northern Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable future will only succeed if consumers are placed at its heart. Across energy, transport and water services, consumers are being asked to make decisions that will shape our environmental future. For many households, however, affordability remains the immediate priority.

As Northern Ireland’s statutory consumer body, the Consumer Council works to ensure that consumers are represented, informed and protected as these changes take place. Our role is not simply to understand what consumers think. It is to ensure that their experiences, concerns and needs influence policy, regulation and service delivery.

This responsibility has never been more important.

Recent events have demonstrated how quickly global developments can impact local consumers. In spring 2026, households across Northern Ireland experienced unprecedented increases in home heating oil prices following disruption to global energy markets. For a region where more than 60 per cent of households rely on heating oil as their primary source of home heating, the impact was immediate and significant.

The Consumer Council responded by providing trusted information through our Home Heating Oil Price Checker, Fuel Price Checker, electricity and gas comparison services, switching support and wider energy advice. Alongside representing consumer concerns to government, regulators and industry, we continued to investigate complaints and support consumers facing difficulties.

These events highlight a broader challenge facing policymakers.

The transition to a greener economy cannot be viewed solely through the lens of environmental targets. It must also consider affordability, accessibility and consumer confidence. If consumers do not trust that change will be fair, practical and achievable, public support risks being undermined.

Our research shows that while consumers broadly support environmental goals, cost remains one of the biggest barriers to adopting low-carbon technologies. For many households, decisions about heating systems, home energy improvements or electric vehicles are influenced as much by affordability as environmental ambition. Consumers need confidence that sustainable choices are practical, accessible and deliver tangible benefits.

For many households, decisions about replacing heating systems, improving energy efficiency or purchasing electric vehicles are influenced less by environmental ambition and more by financial reality. Consumers want to do the right thing, but they need confidence that solutions are affordable, accessible and deliver tangible benefits.

The challenge for policymakers is therefore not simply encouraging behavioural change. It is creating the conditions that make sustainable choices realistic and achievable.

The Consumer Council’s role extends far beyond providing advice. We represent consumers throughout regulatory processes across energy, water and transport services, helping ensure affordability, value for money and consumer protection remain central to decision-making. We scrutinise price controls and tariff reviews, advocate on behalf of consumers and work with government, regulators and industry to secure positive outcomes for households and businesses. Through our advice services, complaint investigations and online tools, we also help consumers make informed decisions and resolve issues when things go wrong.

A just transition must ensure no consumer is left behind. We have a particular responsibility to represent those most affected by change, including people on low incomes, older consumers, people with disabilities and those living in rural communities.

Consumers consistently tell us they need clear information, practical guidance and confidence that the transition will be fair. Building and maintaining trust will be critical.

As Northern Ireland moves towards a more sustainable future, the Consumer Council will continue to champion the consumer voice, provide trusted information, scrutinise policy and regulatory decisions, and work with government, regulators and industry to ensure environmental ambition is matched by affordability, fairness and consumer protection.

Because a sustainable future will only succeed if it works for consumers.

For more information about the Consumer Council, visit www.consumercouncil.org.uk.