The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

Support for government actions to combat IPCC report-listed climate threats

17 Aug 2021

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.
Error: