More than 5,000 people in 19 districts around Shanghai were queried about their daily habits for the survey, and almost all of them agreed that they were prepared to pay more for goods that save energy and cut emissions. Yet half of them also said they hoped the government could offer some kind of subsidies to support the purchase of energy-saving products, the survey showed.

Some 66.1 percent of the respondents agreed with the argument that "economic development should be moderately controlled to save energy and cut emissions", while 60.1 percent believed that energy saving was an "urgent task" and required the efforts of all citizens.

"We need stricter rules on energy and environmental protection in relation to our natural resources," said Yu Zhaoxiang, a chemistry professor at Tongji University. "But it is also the duty of every citizen to do what we can."

The survey also revealed some of the steps Shanghai locals have already taken to help save energy, such as turning up the temperature on their air-conditioners to save electricity, recycling water at home and storing up laundry to wash at the weekend.

The SAQ's survey showed a 20 percent increase in public awareness of environmental issues compared to the results of a similar survey in 2005. The latest survey also showed that 30 percent of citizens are now buying "green" food and recycled paper.

The percentage of green purchases in the 2005 survey was zero.

More than half the private car owners surveyed said they were willing to take public transport in order to cut down on exhaust emissions.

The survey also revealed citizens' opinions on pollution in the city. Water pollution was ranked as the most serious issue, followed by exhaust emissions, solid rubbish pollution and noise pollution. However, automobile exhaust emissions were considered the hardest to bear.