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"climate"
Climate Change Policy Proposals
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the following policy proposals if they were adopted by the Federal Government?
| NET: Support | NET: Oppose | Strongly support | Somewhat support | Somewhat oppose | Strongly oppose | |
| Accelerate development of new industries and jobs that are powered by renewable energy | 81% | 19% | 41% | 40% | 12% | 7% |
| Setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2050 | 71% | 29% | 32% | 39% | 18% | 12% |
| Requiring mining companies to fund bushfire hazard reduction | 68% | 32% | 25% | 43% | 21% | 11% |
| Remove taxpayer funded subsidies to the fossil fuel industry | 68% | 32% | 30% | 38% | 22% | 11% |
| Setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2030 | 64% | 36% | 26% | 38% | 21% | 15% |
| Ban all political donations from fossil fuel companies | 62% | 38% | 28% | 34% | 25% | 13% |
| Prevention of new coal mines opening in Australia | 62% | 38% | 27% | 35% | 23% | 16% |
| Voting Intention | |||||
| NET: SUPPORT | Total | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | NET: Other |
| Accelerate development of new industries and jobs that are powered by renewable energy | 81% | 86% | 75% | 87% | 77% |
| Setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2050 | 71% | 81% | 56% | 89% | 62% |
| Requiring mining companies to fund bushfire hazard reduction | 68% | 78% | 54% | 76% | 68% |
| Remove taxpayer funded subsidies to the fossil fuel industry | 68% | 77% | 56% | 83% | 64% |
| Setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2030 | 64% | 77% | 47% | 87% | 52% |
| Ban all political donations from fossil fuel companies | 62% | 72% | 48% | 79% | 57% |
| Prevention of new coal mines opening in Australia | 62% | 70% | 48% | 84% | 51% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 351 | 342 | 110 | 156 |
- 81% of participants support the accelerated development of new industries and jobs that are powered by renewable energy and 71% support a zero-carbon pollution target to be set for 2050.
- Support for all policies was higher among Labor and greens voters, and lower among Coalition.
Climate Change
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?
| Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 | |
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 61% | 62% | 63% | 64% | 57% |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 28% | 27% | 25% | 24% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 17% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
| Total | Gender | Age | Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 61% | 59% | 63% | 74% | 61% | 50% | 74% | 47% | 89% | 44% |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 28% | 32% | 25% | 18% | 25% | 41% | 16% | 43% | 1% | 48% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 9% | 12% | 8% | 15% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 7% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 527 | 556 | 329 | 369 | 385 | 342 | 373 | 93 | 162 |
61% believe that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity. This is consistent with previous results in Mar’19 (62%) and Oct’18 (63%).
- 28% believe that we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate, no change from earlier in the year (27% in March).
- By age groups, those aged 18-34 were most likely to believe in man-made climate change (74%) and those over 55+ least so (50%).
- Less than half of Coalition votes (47%) believe that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity.
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?
| Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Dec’18 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 | |
| Not doing enough | 60% | 51% | 53% | 56% | 56% | 52% |
| Doing enough | 22% | 27% | 24% | 23% | 20% | 22% |
| Doing too much | 8% | 11% | 9% | 7% | 8% | 8% |
| Don’t know | 10% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 16% | 18% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,032 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
| Total | Gender | Age | Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| Not doing enough | 60% | 57% | 63% | 69% | 59% | 53% | 72% | 46% | 87% | 48% |
| Doing enough | 22% | 24% | 20% | 19% | 19% | 28% | 13% | 35% | 3% | 27% |
| Doing too much | 8% | 11% | 6% | 5% | 9% | 11% | 5% | 12% | 1% | 17% |
| Don’t know | 10% | 8% | 12% | 8% | 13% | 9% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 527 | 556 | 329 | 369 | 385 | 342 | 373 | 93 | 162 |
- 60% now think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change, this has increased from 51% in March 2019.
- Those people most likely to think Australia was not doing enough include young people aged 18-34 (69%), Greens voters (87%) and Labor voters (72%).
Climate change and bushfires
Q. Thinking about the bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales, which of the following statements is closest to your view?
| Nov’19 | Oct’13 | |
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue | 43% | 27% |
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time | 17% | 14% |
| It is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change | 30% | 48% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 11% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 1,075 |
| Total | Gender | Age | Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue | 43% | 39% | 46% | 54% | 41% | 35% | 53% | 31% | 73% | 30% |
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time | 17% | 22% | 12% | 22% | 17% | 13% | 19% | 20% | 7% | 13% |
| It is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change | 30% | 29% | 30% | 15% | 29% | 43% | 19% | 40% | 6% | 50% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 9% | 12% | 9% | 13% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 13% | 7% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 527 | 556 | 329 | 369 | 385 | 342 | 373 | 93 | 162 |
- 43% now think It likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue. When this question was last asked in 2013, 27% gave this answer.
- The proportion of people who think it is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time has remained fairly constant. 17% saying this in 2019, and 14% in 2013.
- Those least likely to think bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue are Coalition (31%) and other minor party and independent voters (31%).
Awareness of Climate Strikes
Q. On Friday 20th September, Student-led strikes are planned to take place across Australia and internationally, to push for governments to act on climate change and move towards renewable energy.
People of all ages will refuse to attend school and/or work to participate in these peaceful protests.
Before today, were you aware these protests were happening?
| Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| Yes | 35% | 41% | 30% | 35% | 29% | 42% |
| No | 54% | 49% | 58% | 52% | 58% | 51% |
| Unsure | 11% | 10% | 12% | 13% | 14% | 7% |
| Base | 1,093 | 545 | 548 | 348 | 360 | 385 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | Independent / Other | ||
| Yes | 35% | 38% | 36% | 45% | 39% |
| No | 54% | 55% | 55% | 44% | 50% |
| Unsure | 11% | 8% | 9% | 11% | 11% |
| Base | 1,093 | 327 | 392 | 98 | 161 |
- More than half (54%) of participants were not aware that Climate Strikes would be occurring on 20th
- Participants over 55 years old are more likely to be aware of the Climate Strikes (42%), as are university educated participants (42%).
Intended Involvement with the Climate Strikes
Q. Which of the following best describes your intended involvement with the protests?
| Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| Aware of protests & intend to participate in the protest | 6% | 7% | 4% | 9% | 6% | 2% |
| Aware of protests & intend to support the protest in some other way (e.g. donating, posting on social media) | 11% | 13% | 9% | 19% | 8% | 6% |
| Aware of protests & have children or other family members who intend to participate in the protest | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Aware of protests & will not be involved | 18% | 21% | 16% | 7% | 15% | 31% |
| Unaware of protests / Unaware | 65% | 59% | 70% | 65% | 71% | 58% |
| Base | 1,093 | 545 | 548 | 348 | 360 | 385 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | Independent / Other | ||
| Aware of protests & intend to participate in the protest | 6% | 7% | 3% | 18% | 6% |
| Aware of protests & intend to support the protest in some other way (e.g. donating, posting on social media) | 11% | 14% | 7% | 20% | 14% |
| Aware of protests & have children or other family members who intend to participate in the protest | 4% | 5% | 2% | 8% | 7% |
| Aware of protests & will not be involved | 18% | 15% | 26% | 8% | 20% |
| Unaware of protests / Unaware | 65% | 62% | 64% | 55% | 16% |
| Base | 1,093 | 327 | 392 | 98 | 161 |
- 5% of participants surveyed will be participating in the Climate Strikes on 20th September, another 11% will be supporting the strikes in some other way.
- 18-34 year olds were more likely to participate in the protest (9%) or support it in some other way (19%).
- Greens voters are most likely to protest themselves (18%) or support the protesters in some other way (20%) as are high income earners (11% and 18% respectively).
- Those with a university education or in paid employment are also most likely to attend the protest (12% and 8% respectively), support the protesters (17% and 16%) or have family members/children who intend to participate (7% and 6%).
- 31% of participants over 55s and 26% of Coalition voters do not intend to support the Climate Strikes in any way.
Support for Climate Strikes
Q. Regardless of your intentions to participate, to what extent do you support or oppose these strikes to push for governments to act on climate change and move towards renewable energy?
| Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| Strongly support | 26% | 29% | 22% | 37% | 22% | 19% |
| Somewhat support | 30% | 27% | 33% | 37% | 31% | 24% |
| Somewhat oppose | 15% | 16% | 15% | 9% | 17% | 18% |
| Strongly oppose | 15% | 19% | 11% | 3% | 11% | 29% |
| Unsure | 14% | 10% | 18% | 14% | 19% | 10% |
| NET: Support | 55% | 56% | 55% | 74% | 53% | 43% |
| NET: Oppose | 30% | 34% | 26% | 13% | 28% | 47% |
| Base | 1,093 | 545 | 548 | 348 | 360 | 385 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | Independent / Other | ||
| Strongly support | 26% | 36% | 11% | 62% | 26% |
| Somewhat support | 30% | 32% | 31% | 29% | 26% |
| Somewhat oppose | 15% | 10% | 23% | 2% | 17% |
| Strongly oppose | 15% | 7% | 25% | 1% | 21% |
| Unsure | 14% | 15% | 10% | 6% | 9% |
| NET: Support | 55% | 68% | 41% | 91% | 52% |
| NET: Oppose | 30% | 17% | 49% | 3% | 38% |
| Base | 1,093 | 327 | 392 | 98 | 161 |
- 55% of participants support using strike action to push for governments to act on climate change and move towards renewable energy.
- Greens voters (91%), 18-34 year olds (74%), Labor voters (68%), with a university education (67%) and those in paid employment (69%) were more likely to agree with this statement.
- Almost half (48%) of those with a secondary school education disagreed with this statement, along with 43% of participants over 55 years of and 41% of Coalition voters.
Climate Change
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?
| Total | Male | Female | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Vote other | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | Oct 2018 | Sep 2017 | Aug 2016 | |
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 62% | 58% | 65% | 75% | 53% | 84% | 48% | 72% | 63% | 52% | 63% | 64% | 57% |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 27% | 29% | 24% | 16% | 38% | 7% | 41% | 16% | 24% | 39% | 25% | 24% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 12% | 12% | 11% | 10% | 9% | 9% | 12% | 12% | 13% | 9% | 13% | 12% | 17% |
62% (down 1% since October last year) agree that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity and 27% (up 2%pts from 25%) believe that we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate.
By age groups, those aged under 35 split 72%/16% and those aged 55+ split 52%/39%. People with higher education were more likely to think climate change is happening and is caused by human activity – those with university degrees split 71%/22%.
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