Q. Which of the following approaches to acting on climate change and reducing emissions do you think will have the most positive long-term effect on jobs?

• About a third (35%) think setting a more ambitious emissions reduction target for 2030 will have the most positive long-term effect on jobs, while a further 29% think setting a net zero target for 2050 would be best for jobs.
• 14% think not setting any targets for 2030 or 2050 is best for jobs, and 22% are unsure.
• Labor voters (43%) and Greens voters (55%) are most likely to think a more ambitious 2030 target will have the most positive long-term effect on jobs.
• Minor/independent party voters (24%) and Coalition voters (21%) are most likely to think not setting any targets would be best for jobs.
• Those aged 18-34 are more likely than older cohorts to think setting a net zero target for 2050 is best (37% to 29% of those aged 35-54 and 23% of those over 55).

Q. As far as you know, do you think Australia is doing enough, not enough or too much to address climate change? 

• 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%).

Q. The federal government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26–28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Which of the following would you prefer the federal government pursued?

• There is a demand for strong commitment to reducing emissions. 43% want to set a more ambitious target for 2030 with a further 25% wanting to aim for net-zero by 2050.
• Over half of those aged 18-34, Labor and greens voters all want more ambitious targets for 2030.
• The majority of Coalition voters at least want net-zero targets for 2050 (65%), with 38% wanting more ambitious targets for 2030.

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?

• 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.

Q. In a recent speech, Scott Morrison stated Australia’s goal is to “…reach net zero emissions as soon as possible, and preferably by 2050”.

However, the Prime Minister did not formally commit to this goal or specify how the federal government plans to achieve it.

‘Net zero’ carbon emissions means a situation when Australia’s carbon emissions become less than or equal to the amount of carbon we are removing from the atmosphere.

Which of the following is closer to your view?

• Most people prefer the government to set concrete targets for reducing emissions, rather than setting a target date for achieving net zero emissions in the future.
• Over half (58%) of people think it is more important that we set realistic targets for reducing our emissions by 2030, than having a target date for achieving net zero. This is the prevalent view across all voting intentions.
• Just over a third (32%) think we need to set a target for when we will get carbon emissions down to ‘net zero’, and worry about setting dates for reductions along the way later. 9% think we shouldn’t have targets for reducing carbon emissions.

Q. To what extent would you support or oppose setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2050 if it were adopted by the Federal Government?

• 75% of participants support setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2050 if it were adopted by the Federal Government, up from 71% in January.
• The majority of all party voter support the introduction of targets. 91% of Greens voters, 80% of Labor and 68% of Coalition party voters all support the introduction of targets.
• Women (79%), capital city residents (77%) and Greens voters (91%) are most likely to support this initiative.
• Men (70%), non-capital city residents (70%) and independent/other party voters (63%) are least likely to support this initiative.

Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the following policy proposals if they were adopted by the Federal Government?

• 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.

Q. Over the past few weeks the Opposition has been raising concern about Energy Minister Angus Taylor, in regards to false information which was critical of the Sydney Lord Mayor.

Which of the following best describes your perspective on the issue?

•  Almost half of participants have not been following the issue between Angus Taylor the Sydney Lord Mayor (48%).
• Coalition voters are least likely to say that the PM should have stood the Minister down (29% versus 44% all other voters).