By Abbas Nazil
Britons remain divided over the costs, pace and responsibilities of tackling climate change, with new polling showing that many support environmental action but are reluctant to pay higher household bills while other countries continue to pollute.
The findings reveal that public opinion in the United Kingdom is divided into five distinct groups, reflecting different levels of support for net zero policies, personal environmental responsibility and concerns about the economic consequences of the transition to cleaner energy.
The research, published by Lord Ashcroft Polls on October 24, found that although many voters recognise climate change as a real problem, disagreements persist over how quickly the country should pursue net zero emissions, which measures should be adopted and who should bear the financial burden.
According to the findings, the five groups are the Impatient Idealists, who favour faster climate action and consider net zero worth the cost; Committed Contributors, who are most likely to have changed their personal behaviour; Squeezed Sympathisers, who acknowledge climate change but cannot afford additional expenses; Cautious Pragmatists, who prioritise other concerns; and Staunch Sceptics, who believe the threat is exaggerated and oppose higher bills.
The report noted that even people strongly committed to environmental protection remain concerned about energy affordability and the reliability of renewable sources such as wind and solar power.
Meanwhile, voters who are more sceptical about climate policies often question whether Britain should accelerate its transition to net zero when other countries are not making comparable efforts.
The findings suggest that public disagreement centres less on whether climate change exists than on the practical measures required to address it, the speed of implementation and the distribution of costs.
Affordability emerged as a major concern, with respondents generally expecting net zero policies to increase household expenses.
The research also found that energy affordability and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers ranked above climate action when voters were asked about their main energy policy priorities.
Support for additional oil and gas exploration was also evident, while only about one-third of respondents supported the Labour Party’s ban on new exploration.
Some voters questioned the policy of restricting domestic drilling while importing oil and gas from other countries, including supplies originating from Norway.
However, the findings also identified considerable support for the economic opportunities associated with the transition to cleaner energy.
Many respondents viewed net zero as a potential source of new industries, employment opportunities and, eventually, cheaper energy.
Majorities supported the development of additional wind and solar farms, more nuclear power stations and taxes on frequent air travellers and high-carbon goods, provided the revenue was returned to the public in some form.
Support declined when proposed policies were perceived as directly affecting everyday lifestyles and household choices.
Measures such as road traffic charges, banning petrol and diesel cars, phasing out gas boilers and increasing the cost of meat and dairy products because of their emissions attracted considerably less support.
The poll also highlighted growing resistance to government intervention in personal decisions and further increases in taxes and living costs.
Some respondents argued that environmental policies should not impose additional financial burdens on households already struggling with expenses.
The report found that just under half of those surveyed did not know how much net zero policies added to their energy bills, while almost as many said they were unwilling to pay more.
When asked who should finance the transition to cleaner energy, respondents most frequently identified large businesses, energy companies and individuals responsible for high levels of pollution.
However, the findings also acknowledged concerns that higher costs imposed on businesses could eventually be transferred to consumers through increased prices.
Another major concern was whether Britain’s climate efforts would make a meaningful difference if larger emitting countries failed to take similar action.
The poll found that voters were more likely to agree, by an 18-percentage-point margin, that Britain achieving net zero would make little or no difference to climate change.
Nevertheless, respondents were more likely to support the argument that Britain should do what it could regardless of the actions of other countries, although questions remained about the effectiveness of acting alone.
The findings suggest that gaining wider public support for climate policies will depend on governments presenting clear, affordable and credible plans that explain the expected benefits, the financial implications and how other countries will contribute to global efforts.
The report concluded that voters want convincing answers about what net zero policies will achieve, whether the benefits justify the costs and how the financial responsibilities will be shared.
