But, while people in the region know about climate change, their children aren’t top of the class when it comes to putting green knowledge into practice.

Of the children in the North-West surveyed, nearly half (46%) said they were the most wasteful people in their home – and 67% of parents agreed.

According to the survey, children in the North-West admit they were responsible for some of their family’s biggest energy wasting acts, leaving the lights on when they leave the room (46%), leaving the computer switched on when it isn’t in use (44%), and spending longest in the shower (32%).

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock MP said: “I’m not surprised British people know more about climate change because we are leading the world in cutting carbon emissions to prevent global warming.

“ This effort puts the UK in a strong position ahead of the Copenhagen summit negotiations in December.

“With climate change on the national curriculum, British children will get a better understanding as to why it’s important to switch off lights and computers when they’re not in use. Considering around 40% of carbon pollution is a result of personal choices, there is huge potential for everyone to start bucking the trend.”

Energy Saving Trust chief executive Philip Sellwood is calling for north-west residents to continue taking green issues seriously by putting their knowledge into practice. He said: "Our research clearly shows that north-west householders have the knowledge, however they don’t seem to act on it.

“As a nation, we need to put theory into practice.”