A new survey suggests Australians support the government in taking action to meet Paris Agreement climate targets and moves to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
A total of 71 per cent somewhat or strongly support action to meet Paris targets, while 69 per cent back a net zero target, according to a survey of 1000 people conducted by research firm Ipsos. Nine and 10 per cent oppose the two measures respectively.
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Many Australians believe governments should be doing more to act on
climate change. Credit: Bloomberg
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Asked to name the top three issues facing the nation at the beginning of 2020 in the wake of the unprecedented bushfires, the environment was the main issue for the first time, with more than 40 per cent of respondents rating it in their top three.
However, in October, the economy (56 per cent) and unemployment (44 per cent) were the top two issues facing the nation by a comfortable margin. Concern about healthcare and cost of living was also ranked higher, leaving the environment fifth.
But unlike in the period following the global financial crisis, support for general action on climate change has continued to trend upwards through the pandemic, said Ipsos director, Stuart Clark.
“This highlights the degree to which Australians are taking onboard the idea of a green recovery led by government. It’s very different from the situation in 2010 and 2011. At that time, support for climate action dropped away as people prioritised the economic recovery,” he said.
Further data collected in January 2020 shows over half of Australians agree the nation will be better off in the long run if it meets the Paris Agreement targets, indicating many see long-term benefits to involvement in international efforts to reduce emissions.
In January, 60 per cent of respondents agreed Australia should be a global leader in emissions reduction with the aim of encouraging other countries to take similar actions.
The research also revealed the potential impacts of a transition to renewable energy concerned many, with 69 per cent rating reliability of supply as a top-three priority in transitioning. Ensuring energy prices remains low is a top-three priority at 58 per cent.
Ipsos found the institutions that Australians believed had the most power to act on climate change were governments and large multinational companies, and most believed governments, including Australia’s, had performed poorly on the issue.
Links
- Ipsos: Australians overwhelmingly support Government commitments to emissions reductions
- Ipsos: Climate Change Report 2020 (pdf)
- (AU) Climate Change Worrying More Australians Than Ever Before, Australia Institute Report Reveals
- Many Globally Are As Concerned About Climate Change As About The Spread Of Infectious Diseases
- World Risk Poll Reveals Global Threat From Climate Change
- (AU) Two Thirds Of Citizens Around The World Agree Climate Change Is As Serious A Crisis As Covid-19 – Ipsos Survey
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