The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

Attitudes to Climate change and COP26 Summit

12 Oct 2021

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.
Error: