Federal Election 2019: Vote Compass Finds Broad Desire For More Action On Climate Change

ABC News - Catherine Hanrahan

A striking 89 per cent of younger voters want the Government to take more action on climate change. (ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)

Key points: 81 per cent of voters want more government action on climate change Among Coalition voters, 60 per cent now back more climate action More than two-thirds of voters favour efforts to boost renewable energy and electric cars

A majority of Coalition, Labor and Greens voters all want more government action on climate change, Vote Compass data has found.
A majority of voters also support more renewable energy, a higher uptake of electric cars and a price on carbon, with renewables amassing the most support.
More than 80 per cent of Australians want the Government to take more action on climate change, up 20 percentage points since 2013.
Strikingly, support for more action was almost universal among Labor and Greens voters, the strongest response to any Vote Compass question during this election.
Nearly 60 per cent of Coalition voters agreed with the desire for more climate action.
One Nation supporters were more divided — more action was their most common response (40 per cent), closely followed by less action (34 per cent).

Support for government tackling climate change is rising

Proportion of Vote Compass responses to the question: "How much should the federal government do to tackle climate change?"

Based on 513,335 respondents to Vote Compass between April 10 and May 12, 2019

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As a part of its climate solutions package, the Coalition is committed to Australia's Paris Agreement target of reducing emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030.
Labor has promised to cut emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and ensure half of Australia's energy comes from renewable sources.
Rosemary Lyster, co-director of the Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law at the University of Sydney law school, said Australians were understanding that the Paris targets were a modest contribution, not only on Australia's part, but on all countries.

"I think the Coalition is sticking to their climate policies and the electorate is a bit more sceptical about whether or not we're going to achieve emissions reductions through those policies," she said.

The desire for more action was even stronger among young Australians.

More young voters want climate action than older voters

Proportion of Vote Compass responses to the question: "How much should the federal government do to tackle climate change?"

Based on 513,335 respondents to Vote Compass between April 10 and May 12, 2019

On the surface, the mood for climate action detected in Vote Compass was higher than was reported in two surveys conducted in 2018, where 56 per cent and 62 per cent said Australia was not doing enough to address climate change. Those questions, however, were about "Australian" action overall while Vote Compass asked specifically about "the Federal Government".

Majority of Coalition voters want government to do more to tackle climate change

Proportion of Vote Compass responses to the question: "How much should the federal government do to tackle climate change?"

Based on 513,335 respondents to Vote Compass between April 10 and May 12, 2019

Voters back renewable energy and electric cars
Nearly 90 per cent wanted to see more renewable energy, including a majority of voters from all parties.
Three quarters wanted to see the Government do more to increase the number of electric cars, though Coalition voters were more uncertain than left-leaning voters.
Professor Lyster said people found the idea of technological and innovation solutions very appealing.

"They see that as contributing to the economy and they see lots more jobs, which is good for the economy," she said.

Strongest support for more renewable energy

Proportion of More/Less or Agree/Disagree Vote Compass responses to each question/statement

Based on 513,335 respondents to Vote Compass between April 10 and May 12, 2019; electric car question of the day based on 137,226 respondents

Neither the Coalition nor Labor is promising a price on carbon this election, though voters now broadly favour one.
About 70 per cent of respondents back a price on carbon emissions, up from 63 per cent in 2016 and only 46 per cent in 2013.
Climate change took centre stage in that election, when Opposition leader Tony Abbott promised to "axe the tax" — Labor's carbon pricing scheme.
The Greens promised net zero emissions by 2040, via a range of mechanisms that include a price on carbon.

About the data

• Vote Compass responses have been weighted by gender, age, education, language, religion, place of residence and past vote to match the Australian population, creating a nationally representative sample.
• The sample size for this report is 513,335 respondents and 137,226 respondents for the electric car question of the day
• Find about more about the methodology in this explainer.

Links

• More than 80 per cent of voters want the government to do more to tackle climate change
• Young voters feel most strongly about more action on climate change
• Voters of all parties want more government action on climate change
• Voters are keener on more renewable energy sources than putting a price on carbon