Politics Explained

Research by a Conservative think tank sheds new light on the credibility of the mid-century target for climate action, writes John Rentoul

Boris Johnson introduced a green bike-hire scheme as London mayor: now he faces a global green challenge

(PA)

A majority of the British people say they support the target, set by Theresa May before she left office last year, of achieving net-zero carbon emissions for the UK by 2050. However, research by Opinium for Bright Blue, a Conservative think tank, finds that 58 per cent of the public believe that it is unlikely that the target will be achieved. 

While the research finds that people think the public, companies and above all government have a responsibility to help deliver net zero, they tend to know little about low-carbon home heating systems and are worried about the costs. 

Some of the report’s findings are unsurprising. Younger people and those with higher levels of education are more likely to support the behaviour changes needed to achieve net zero. And people are more likely to support switching to green energy if it is suggested that someone else is paying for it through subsidies than if they have to pay for it themselves through higher prices.