Nigel Farage faces a setback as recent polling reveals strong public backing for the UK’s net zero commitments. According to a YouGov survey, 60% of respondents support the country’s environmental goals, while only 25% oppose them.
Reform UK has taken a different stance, advocating for the abandonment of Britain’s climate targets, denying the existence of a climate crisis, and endorsing a return to fracking. Kemi Badenoch has also pledged to reject the UK Government’s climate commitments.
During the recent COP 30 conference in Belem, Brazil, the Prime Minister criticized both Reform UK and the Tories, emphasizing the importance of wholeheartedly embracing net zero to avoid negative impacts on energy costs and national security.
Support for net zero targets is particularly strong among 2024 Green voters at 86%, with significant backing also from Labour and Lib Dem supporters, ranging from 76% to 79%.
While former Prime Minister Theresa May enshrined the net zero goal in law in 2019, only 48% of Tories currently express support for the target, with less fervor compared to other groups. Many Conservative supporters indicate a tendency to support net zero rather than strongly advocating for it, while 37% are against the initiative. In contrast, a majority of Reform UK voters oppose net zero, with only 23% in favor.
The survey findings suggest that personal beliefs about the impact of net zero influence support levels, with 75% of opponents foreseeing negative consequences for themselves.
Moreover, the survey of 2083 adults highlights that 39% of Britons feel the government is not doing enough to address climate change. While 13% believe the balance is right, 24% think too much resources are dedicated to the issue. Among net zero supporters, 57% believe more action is needed.
Despite the aspirations for net zero, only 2% of Britons are confident in the UK’s ability to achieve the goal by 2050. Similarly, a small proportion expect substantial progress, with only 18% believing Britain will come close to reaching net zero emissions. Even among supporters of net zero, only 28% are optimistic about the country’s potential success.
In response, a Labour spokesperson emphasized the importance of clean energy for national security, cost reduction, and job creation, contrasting the party’s approach with the perceived negative impacts of opponents’ policies on the workforce.
A Labour source further criticized Nigel Farage’s stance on net zero, characterizing it as detrimental to workers and clean energy jobs. In contrast, Labour’s initiatives aim to provide financial relief to families, promote clean energy development, and create sustainable job opportunities.
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