Net zero policies
UK public backs Net Zero action, but support softens
NET ZERO POLICIES
UK public backs net zero action, but support softens
NET ZERO POLICIES
UK public backs net zero action, but support softens
Overall support
The UK public continue to support more than oppose a range of potential net zero policies, in line with previous Net Zero Living research.
In 2024, the top policy is providing more support to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes, with three quarters welcoming this policy.
In addition, over half support frequent flyer levies, and changing the costs of products to reflect how environmentally friendly they are. The least popular policy is providing subsidies for electric vehicles, with a similar proportion of people opposing and supporting this potential policy.
Net zero policies the public support most
Providing more support to enable people to make their homes more energy efficient
Support frequent flyer levies
Support changing product pricing to reflect how environmentally friendly products are
However the level of support has decreased since previous surveys in 2022 and 2021, particularly in relation to policies focusing on pension funds, diet and low traffic neighbourhoods.
Support [for net zero policies] has decreased since previous surveys in 2022 and 2021
Who supports what?
Social values
Support for policies is split by collective or individualistic values.
Those who would like to live in a society which emphasises the social and collective provision of welfare are significantly more likely to support policies than those who would like to live in a society where individuals are encouraged to look after themselves. This is most notable for the phase out of gas boilers and sustainable pensions.
Age
Support for policies varies between age groups.
Older people (aged 65-75) favour policies related to home energy efficiency, frequent flyer levies, changing product pricing, and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
Younger people (aged 25-34), however, are relatively more supportive of sustainable pensions, and electric vehicle (EV) subsidies and taxes on meat and dairy.
Those aged 16-24 show higher support for phasing out gas and coal boilers.
Where people live
People living in London Cosmopolitan areas (the 12 Inner London boroughs) are supportive of phasing out of gas boilers, taxes on products and produce, and traffic and travel measures than other areas.
Similarly, those in Business, Education and Heritage Centres (larger cities throughout the UK of regional importance) are more supportive of enabling people to make their homes more energy efficient, providing access to sustainable pension funds, and vegetarian or vegan public food provisioning.
Those in living in rural areas are more supportive than both those in living urban areas and the UK public as a whole – to support frequent flyer levies (68%).
Those in living in rural areas are more likely than both those living in urban areas and the UK public as a whole – to support frequent flyer levies
What does this mean?
These findings are based on support for the policies at face value before people were asked about the personal impacts of the policies. While support has declined since 2022, the public are still more likely to support than oppose a range of net zero policies. The slight decline in support is possibly an impact of the cost-of-living crisis or more immediate concerns such as the poor state of public services shifting the public’s priorities away from climate. This highlights the importance of emphasising the co-benefits of taking climate action.
Nonetheless, home energy efficiency is evidently a key policy for most people in the UK, potentially reflecting the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This is also seen with policies to make more polluting behaviours more costly to carry out (i.e. frequent flyer levies and changing product pricing).
The public are still more likely to support than oppose a range of net zero policies
There are, however, clear divisions. Different values, political affiliations, age, and location have a significant influence on levels of support. These differences are consistent with previous findings, and suggest the importance of engaging with the public to take account of their concerns, and tailoring messages for different groups of people.
