Essential Report
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.

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- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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