Research reveals huge disparity between perceived and actual willingness of public to contribute to fixing climate
Politicians and policymakers significantly underestimate the public’s willingness to contribute to climate action, limiting the ambition and scope of green policies, according to research.
Delegates at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) were asked to estimate what percentage of the global population would say they were willing to give 1% of their income to help fix climate change. The average estimate was 37%, but recent research found the true figure is 69%.
The same research found 89% thought their national government “should do more to fight global warming”.
The findings follow a recent call for a climate policy reset from the former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who claimed emission reduction policies lack public support.
