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"climate"
Attitudes to climate change and COP26
Q. The UN climate summit (COP26) started on October 31 in Glasgow, Scotland. During the summit, world leaders are expected to develop the next emissions standards to slow global warming and keep temperature rise below 1.5C.
Australia is one of 200 countries expected to outline their emissions reduction goals for 2030.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
| TOTAL: Agree | 08/11 | 11/10 |
| Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand | 71% | 64% |
| Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built | 69% | 63% |
| Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target | 66% | 57% |
| Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind | 65% | 57% |
| TOTAL:
Agree |
TOTAL:
Disagree |
Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand | 71% | 6% | 35% | 35% | 23% | 4% | 2% |
| Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built | 69% | 9% | 37% | 33% | 21% | 5% | 5% |
| Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target | 66% | 8% | 33% | 33% | 25% | 5% | 3% |
| Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind | 65% | 12% | 34% | 32% | 23% | 7% | 5% |
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand | 71% | 70% | 72% | 59% | 70% | 81% | 75% | 74% | 75% | 64% |
| Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built | 69% | 66% | 73% | 62% | 72% | 74% | 76% | 70% | 77% | 55% |
| Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target | 66% | 63% | 69% | 57% | 66% | 74% | 71% | 66% | 76% | 60% |
| Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind | 65% | 63% | 67% | 58% | 70% | 66% | 71% | 66% | 79% | 50% |
| Base (n) | 1,089 | 534 | 555 | 336 | 374 | 379 | 354 | 401 | 106 | 125 |
- Since the exposure of COP26, more people are engaged with both the opportunities and threats from the country not acting on climate change and reducing emissions.
- 71% now agree that Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand, up from 64% last month. Similarly, agreement that Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built has increased from 63% to 69%.
- At the same time, agreement with the risks of not acting have increased. 66% agree that Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target (up from 57% before the summit) and 65% agree that Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind.
- Those voting Labor and Greens are more likely than those voting Coalition or other to agree with the risks of not acting on climate change.
Importance of action on climate change
Q. Which of the following best describes your attitude towards the issue of climate change and global warming?
| Q | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| It is the most important issue and there is no other issue I am more concerned about | 22% | 23% | 20% | 29% | 23% | 15% | 25% | 18% | 36% | 21% |
| It is a very important issue, but there are other issues that equally concern me | 45% | 41% | 48% | 48% | 45% | 42% | 53% | 41% | 52% | 34% |
| It is somewhat an important issue, but there are other issues that I am more concerned about | 20% | 20% | 20% | 18% | 19% | 23% | 14% | 26% | 10% | 23% |
| It is not a very important issue, there are other issues that I am much more concerned about | 7% | 8% | 6% | 2% | 6% | 12% | 5% | 9% | 2% | 11% |
| It is not an important issue at all | 6% | 7% | 6% | 4% | 7% | 8% | 2% | 6% | 0% | 12% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- 22% say climate change is the most important issue to them, with a further 45% saying it is important, along with other issues.
- 7% said they were more concerned with issues other than climate change and just 6% said climate change isn’t an important issue.
Climate change acceptance
Q. Do you believe that there is fairly conclusive evidence that climate change is happening and caused by human activity or do you believe that the evidence is still not in and we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate which happens from time to time?
| Q | Oct’21 | Jun’21 | Jan’21 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 |
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 59% | 56% | 58% | 56% | 61% | 62% | 63% | 64% | 57% |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 30% | 27% | 32% | 32% | 28% | 27% | 25% | 24% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 16% | 10% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 17% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,087 | 1,084 | 1,081 | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 59% | 60% | 58% | 62% | 60% | 55% | 70% | 49% | 77% | 48% | ||
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 30% | 31% | 29% | 28% | 27% | 36% | 23% | 39% | 15% | 47% | ||
| Don’t know | 11% | 9% | 12% | 10% | 13% | 9% | 7% | 12% | 7% | 6% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 | ||
- The majority of people accept that climate change is happening and caused by human activity (59%). This is consistent with previous years.
- 30% think the changes in climate are part of a natural cycle and 11% are unsure. Those most likely to think we are witnessing a natural cycle include those aged over 55 (36%), Coalition voters (39%) and those voting for an independent or minor party (47%).
Addressing climate change
Q. As far as you know, do you think Australia is doing enough, not enough or too much to address climate change?
| Oct’21 | Jun’21 | Jan’21 | Jun’20 | Mar’20 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Dec’18 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 | |
| Not doing enough | 42% | 45% | 42% | 52% | 55% | 62% | 60% | 51% | 53% | 56% | 56% | 52% |
| Doing enough | 31% | 30% | 35% | 25% | 23% | 19% | 22% | 27% | 24% | 23% | 20% | 22% |
| Doing too much | 15% | 12% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 8% | 8% | 11% | 9% | 7% | 8% | 8% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 11% | 10% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 16% | 18% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,087 | 1,084 | 1,079 | 1,090 | 1,081 | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,032 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Not doing enough | 42% | 41% | 43% | 38% | 44% | 44% | 56% | 26% | 58% | 39% | ||
| Doing enough | 31% | 31% | 32% | 33% | 25% | 36% | 27% | 47% | 17% | 23% | ||
| Doing too much | 15% | 18% | 12% | 19% | 17% | 9% | 8% | 18% | 18% | 29% | ||
| Don’t know | 11% | 10% | 13% | 10% | 14% | 11% | 9% | 9% | 7% | 9% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 | ||
- Most people think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change (42%), with 31% who think we are doing enough and 15% who think Australia is doing too much to address climate change. Consistent with previous years, 11% don’t know.
- Since June 2021, there has been a shift among women, those aged 18-34 and Labor voters – all of whom are less likely to think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change.
- 43% of women say Australia is not doing enough (down from 49% in Jun’21), while 32% say we are doing enough (up from 27%).
- 38% of women say Australia is not doing enough (down from 47% in Jun’21), while those saying Australia is doing too much has increased from 7% to 12%.
- 56% of Labor voters say Australia is not doing enough (down from 64% in Jun’21), while 27% say we are doing enough (up from 19%).
Attitudes to Climate change and COP26 Summit
Q. The UN climate summit (COP26) will start on October 31 in Glasgow, Scotland.
During the summit, world leaders are expected to develop the next emissions standards to slow global warming and keep temperature rise below 1.5C. Australia is one of 200 countries expected to outline their emissions reduction goals for 2030.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
| TOTAL:
Agree |
TOTAL:
Disagree |
Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree, nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind | 57% | 17% | 28% | 29% | 27% | 10% | 6% |
| Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand | 64% | 9% | 26% | 39% | 26% | 7% | 3% |
| Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built | 63% | 13% | 28% | 36% | 24% | 7% | 5% |
| Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target | 57% | 12% | 25% | 32% | 31% | 8% | 4% |
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind | 57% | 56% | 57% | 56% | 60% | 53% | 64% | 52% | 70% | 51% |
| Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand | 64% | 67% | 62% | 58% | 64% | 70% | 67% | 64% | 68% | 64% |
| Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built | 63% | 63% | 64% | 56% | 67% | 66% | 68% | 61% | 71% | 58% |
| Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target | 57% | 60% | 55% | 48% | 58% | 64% | 61% | 58% | 64% | 51% |
| Column n | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Most people agree that the expected emissions reduction goals for 2030 are both an opportunity and threat for Australia.
- Just under two-thirds agree that Australia can develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand (64%) and that manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built (63%).
- There is majority agreement with the threats for Australia if they do not match other countries’ commitments with 57% agreeing with both statements – that Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, and Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions by 2050 target.
Concern about climate threats to Australia listed in IPCC report
Q. A recently released report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that changes to the earth’s climate are “unequivocally the result of human actions”, and increased global temperatures will cause unprecedented changes to the earth’s climate unless drastic action is taken over the next 10 years.
To what extent are you concerned about each of the following threats to Australia which the IPCC has listed in the report?
| TOTAL: Concerned | TOTAL:
Not Concerned |
Very concerned | Moderately concerned | Not that concerned | Not concerned at all | |
| More extreme and frequent bushfires, with longer fire seasons | 81% | 19% | 43% | 38% | 14% | 6% |
| Increased frequency of droughts in drier areas | 79% | 21% | 40% | 39% | 15% | 6% |
| Increased sea temperatures damaging marine ecosystems | 76% | 24% | 37% | 39% | 18% | 6% |
| More frequent heavy rainfall causing river floods and worse storms | 75% | 25% | 32% | 42% | 19% | 6% |
| Sea levels around Australia continuing to rise, causing coastal erosion and threatening communities | 72% | 28% | 32% | 40% | 20% | 8% |
- There is high concern for all impacts of climate change affecting Australia identified in the latest IPCC report.
- 81% say they are concerned about the threat of more extreme and frequent bushfires (43% very concerned), and 79% are concerned about the increased frequency of drought in drier areas (40% very concerned).
- Despite having the lowest concern of the threats, 72% of people say they are concerned with rising sea levels causing coastal erosion.
| TOTAL:
Concerned |
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| More extreme and frequent bushfires, with longer fire seasons | 81% | 76% | 85% | 81% | 83% | 78% | 87% | 75% | 92% | 75% | ||
| Increased frequency of droughts in drier areas | 79% | 76% | 82% | 77% | 84% | 76% | 84% | 74% | 91% | 76% | ||
| Increased sea temperatures damaging marine ecosystems | 76% | 71% | 80% | 78% | 80% | 70% | 83% | 68% | 93% | 67% | ||
| More frequent heavy rainfall causing river floods and worse storms | 75% | 69% | 80% | 76% | 79% | 69% | 81% | 68% | 87% | 65% | ||
| Sea levels around Australia continuing to rise, causing coastal erosion and threatening communities | 72% | 66% | 78% | 73% | 77% | 67% | 80% | 64% | 91% | 68% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 538 | 562 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 376 | 384 | 116 | 122 | ||
Support for government actions to combat IPCC report-listed climate threats
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the following government actions?
| TOTAL: Support | TOTAL: Oppose | Strongly support | Somewhat support | Neither support nor oppose | Somewhat oppose | Strongly oppose | |
| Provide greater funding for rooftop solar and household battery storage | 70% | 7% | 41% | 29% | 23% | 4% | 3% |
| Introduce a levy to high carbon-emitting industries to encourage them to switch to renewable sources | 63% | 13% | 34% | 29% | 24% | 7% | 6% |
| Set a nationwide ‘net zero’ carbon emissions target for 2030 | 61% | 13% | 33% | 29% | 25% | 7% | 6% |
| Plan for the closure of all fossil fuel-burning power stations, and transition to renewables and battery storage by 2030 | 61% | 14% | 32% | 29% | 25% | 7% | 7% |
| Stop public funding of all coal and gas mining in Australia | 53% | 17% | 29% | 23% | 31% | 9% | 8% |
| Phase out new petrol cars by 2030 | 47% | 24% | 22% | 24% | 30% | 12% | 11% |
- The majority of people would support the introduction of many of the changes to policy listed. 70% support greater government funding for installation of rooftop solar panels and household battery storage, and 63% support the introduction of a levy to high carbon-emitting industries.
- 61% of people support both setting a nationwide ‘net zero’ carbon emission target for 2030, and the closure of all fossil fuel-burning power stations, and transition to renewables and battery storage by 2030. Just over half (53%) support the end of public funding for coal and gas mining in Australia.
- 47% are in favour of the phase-out of new petrol cars by 2030.
| TOTAL: Support | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Provide greater funding for rooftop solar and household battery storage | 70% | 70% | 71% | 65% | 73% | 72% | 75% | 68% | 85% | 66% | ||
| Introduce a levy to high carbon-emitting industries to encourage them to switch to renewable sources | 63% | 59% | 66% | 61% | 68% | 58% | 72% | 55% | 82% | 50% | ||
| Set a nationwide ‘net zero’ carbon emissions target for 2030 | 61% | 61% | 62% | 64% | 66% | 55% | 70% | 54% | 85% | 50% | ||
| Plan for the closure of all fossil fuel-burning power stations, and transition to renewables and battery storage by 2030 | 61% | 60% | 62% | 66% | 64% | 54% | 72% | 52% | 82% | 53% | ||
| Stop public funding of all coal and gas mining in Australia | 53% | 54% | 52% | 56% | 58% | 44% | 63% | 43% | 76% | 39% | ||
| Phase out new petrol cars by 2030 | 47% | 48% | 45% | 53% | 51% | 36% | 51% | 42% | 76% | 37% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 538 | 562 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 376 | 384 | 116 | 122 | ||
- Those aged 18-34 have higher support than those aged over 55 for all measures, except greater funding for rooftop solar and household battery storage.
- Coalition voters and those voting for a minor party or independent candidate have the lowest support for the introduction of all these measures. Labor and Greens voters are the most likely to support all measures.
Climate change acceptance
Q. Do you believe that there is fairly conclusive evidence that climate change is happening and caused by human activity or do you believe that the evidence is still not in and we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate which happens from time to time?
| Jun’21 | Jan’21 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 | |
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 56% | 58% | 56% | 61% | 62% | 63% | 64% | 57% |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 27% | 32% | 32% | 28% | 27% | 25% | 24% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 16% | 10% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 17% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 1,084 | 1,081 | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
- Over half (56%) of Australians now believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activity, similar to recent results earlier in 2021 (58%) and 2020 (56%)
- The proportion of those who are undecided on the cause of climate change has increased from earlier in the year to 16% (from 10% in January). Less than a third (27%) believe we are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate.
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 56% | 54% | 58% | 61% | 58% | 51% | 70% | 44% | 81% | 50% | ||
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 27% | 33% | 22% | 19% | 27% | 35% | 19% | 40% | 14% | 36% | ||
| Don’t know | 16% | 12% | 20% | 20% | 16% | 14% | 10% | 17% | 6% | 14% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 527 | 560 | 328 | 374 | 385 | 378 | 407 | 98 | 102 | ||
- Acceptance that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity is highest among Greens voters (81%) and Labor voters (70%).
- Those who think changes are a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate is highest among Coalition voters (40%), those over 55 (35%) and men (33%).
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