The survey of over 2,000 adults found that 80% are in favour of expanding the UK’s clean energy infrastructure, with approval at 65% among Reform supporters.
This is despite the party recently announcing that it would scrap energy companies’ access to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) subsidy scheme, and leader Nigel Farage urging councils to ditch net-zero targets.
Approval among Conservatives was also markedly high at 83%, suggesting that party leader Kemi Badenoch’s climbdown on the climate is out of step with her own party’s supporters.
The YouGov polling, commissioned by Friends of the Earth (FoE), also found that 78% of adults believe that those responsible for pollution, such as fossil fuel companies, should pay more to help fund environmental action.
It comes after the High Court last year ruled that the government must publish a revised Carbon Budget Delivery Plan for meeting the UK’s legally binding climate targets over the next 12 years, which is due in late October.
“While some parties are opposing climate action just as extreme weather is intensifying, our polling shows that transformative climate policies remain popular with voters of all stripes – particularly when they’re designed in a way that’s fair, or can help boost our struggling economy," said Mike Childs, FoE head of science, policy and research.
"Britain’s a global leader when it comes to offshore wind, but we still hold enormous untapped potential. Taking full advantage of our homegrown renewable resources can guarantee our energy security, bring bills down and even position the UK as a leading manufacturing power.
“If we’re to secure these benefits and lock the UK into a more prosperous future, then it’s vital the government’s climate plan, due in October, is both bold and fair.”
Expanding training and job opportunities in green industries, and greater investment in UK wind turbine manufacturing, were also popular in the polling, with 81% and 70% of adults indicating their support, respectively.
Furthermore, the survey found that over 80% of Conservative, Green, Labour and Reform supporters would back the renewable energy industry using more UK-made components.
This comes after Trevor Hutchings, CEO of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, warned that net zero could become the “next Brexit referendum” at an ISEP Fellows networking event.
“Public opinion on the clean energy transition is holding up pretty well, but we are talking about a populist, political debate that opposition parties have latched onto, and of course Donald Trump has added fuel to that fire,” he continued.
“We have to win the evidence argument on why this is a good thing. Economic arguments are irresistible now, when you talk to businesses it just makes economic sense. The energy security argument is also compelling, particularly with the geopolitical situation.
“We have got our people, our knowledge, our expertise, and if we harness that in the right way, we can influence and impact political decision-making, corporate decision-making, and public opinion.”
Image credit: Shutterstock
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of ISEP’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for ISEP members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.
