- New research from Savanta shows that one in three UK adults (32%) believe that climate change is “exaggerated”, the day before the release of UK’s greenhouse gas emissions figures
- UK public also support wide range of local measures to tackle climate change, including the pedestrianisation of their local high street and the building of wind turbines in their local area
- However the public is much more divided on the introduction of localised low emission zones – with 46% in support and 44% opposed
A significant proportion of the UK public continues to believe that climate change is “exaggerated” (32%), was released the day before the yearly release of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions figures in February.
The UK public does also supports a range of local measures to tackle climate change, including:
- The pedestrianisation of their local high street (66% support vs 24% oppose)
- The building of wind turbines in their local area (71% support vs 21% oppose)
The public is however more divided on several other areas, often based on party lines. 53% of Labour voters back the introdyction of localised low emissions zones – such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), compared to 39% of Conservative voters.
While Conservative voters were more likely (46%) to back the building of a nuclear station in their local area than Labour voters (37%).
Commenting on the findings, Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta says,
“The latest greenhouse gas emissions should be read alongside our research which continues to show broad support among the public for measures to tackle climate change.”
“However our findings do show a significant proportion of the UK who see climate change as overblown, as well as different levels of support along party lines for measures to tackle climate change. The settlement for taking action on climate change is fragile.”