Changes in technology and business practices are more likely to be seen as playing a major role in the fight against climate change
The 29th United Nations Climate Change conference, also known as COP29, will take place from 11-22 November in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku. The event will see world leaders gather once again to measure and negotiate the best ways to address climate change.
The latest YouGov polling presents a pessimistic public view of what the climate change conference can achieve, with less than one in ten (9%) thinking the event will result in significant action.
When asked what role different developments can have when it comes to addressing climate change, meetings of international leaders like COP29 are the least likely of the measures tested to be seen as important. Eight in ten (78%) say the development of cleaner and more environmentally friendly technologies can play a “very big” or “significant” role in tackling climate change, as do 71% when it comes to companies adopting more environmentally friendly practices; just over half (53%) say the same of conferences like COP29.
Nevertheless, the large majority of Britons (84%) do agree with the principle that more effective action on climate change can be taken only if countries work together. Far fewer, however, believe that the responsibility to do so rests primarily with wealthy countries (20%), with 67% saying it is the responsibility of all countries to work together on the issue.
Donald Trump’s first presidential term saw the US pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, raising questions for some about whether or not a country like the UK should aim to reduce carbon emissions if the very largest polluters are not trying to do so. With Donald Trump soon to be president again, this question returns. While most Britons (56%) believe the UK should try as hard as possible to reduce emissions regardless of what other nations are doing, this is down ten points from the first time we asked this question in 2021.
Most Britons are worried about climate change, but far fewer consider it a spending priority
While three in five (62%) Britons remain very or fairly worried about climate change, other domestic issues, such as the economy, immigration and health are seen as the more pressing issues facing the country. Prior to last year’s COP, over a quarter of Britons (26%) said the environment was one of the most important issues – this has since dropped six points, with only two in ten (20%) Britons now sharing this opinion.
Britons may be becoming more pessimistic about avoiding the worst effects of climate change. While most Britons (57%) believe we are still able to avoid the worst effects of climate change with drastic change, this figure has fallen from 66% in 2019, while the 17% who believe it is already too late has risen from 11%.
While most Britons are worried about climate change, and believe we need to take stronger action against it, they are much more reluctant to spend the money that would entail. Only a third (34%) say that spending on preventing the impact of climate change is a priority and should be increased significantly, even if this means cuts are needed elsewhere.
By contrast, 39% say there are other, more urgent, priorities than climate change that we should focus on.
This will be Keir Starmer’s first COP as leader of the United Kingdom and 2024 Labour voters are amongst those who are the most worried about climate change (82%). Labour’s manifesto largely focused on the commitment of making Britain a clean energy superpower, so the prime minister will be looking to impress among fellow global leaders.
See the full results here
What do you think about the prospects for COP-29, the fight against climate change in general, and everything else? Have your say, join the YouGov panel, and get paid to share your thoughts. Sign up here.
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