Strong support for net-zero, but little interest in the facts

Australians strongly back policies to increase clean energy use and protect natural ecosystems but are more cautious on committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, new polling suggests.

Prince Charles meets with Scott Morrison at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Picture: AFP

Australians strongly back policies to increase clean energy use and protect natural ecosystems but are more cautious on committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, new polling suggests.

The survey by JWS Research following the Glasgow climate conference last month found while most adults were aware of the COP26 summit, barely one in 10 followed it closely.

The poll of more than 1000 people found nearly three quarters of respondents were concerned about climate change, with almost half of respondents declaring they were extremely or very concerned.

Under pressure from key allies and capital markets seeking investment certainty, Scott Morrison adopted a net-zero emissions by 2050 target in the lead-up to the Glasgow climate conference.

But as the battle lines are drawn ahead of a 2022 election, the Prime Minister is preparing to attack Labor’s 43 per cent emissions cut by 2030, arguing it will cost jobs and destroy regional economies.

The majority of those surveyed agreed that Australia should be addressing global warming by working to limit the average temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, and committing to reduce carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030.

Despite limited knowledge about the issue of net-zero emissions, 53 per cent supported the Coalition’s commitment to achieve the target of net-zero emissions by the year 2050, including 30 per cent who strongly support this goal.

The majority of those polled were aware of net-zero emissions but their knowledge was limited and “lowest” among 18-34s and women.

“Support for achieving net-zero emissions is even higher among those who know at least a little about this issue (65 per cent, including 41 per cent strong support),” JWS said.

“Knowledge about net-zero emissions is significantly higher among those aged 55 years and over, and lower among 18 to 34 year olds, who are also less likely to support committing to the 2050 target.”

The survey showed that awareness of COP26 was highest among those aged 55 years and over, and this group was most likely to claim to know a lot about it.

More than six in 10 of those surveyed agreed Australia should be taking measures to reduce emissions such as protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity (69 per cent), developing and deploying technologies (64 per cent) and adopting policies to transition towards low-emission energies (62 per cent).