MPs confused over net zero, YouGov finds

• The majority of all MPs (84%) support the UK’s net zero emissions target
• However, only 66% of MPs recognise it is “essential to reach net zero”
• There remains a gap between MPs and their view of public attitudes when it comes to energy infrastructure

A majority of MPs (84%) support the UK’s net zero emissions 2050 climate change target, according to a new poll from YouGov on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligent Unit (ECIU), despite the recent Conservative leadership announcement it no longer supports green policies.

The poll also found that despite the announcement, 40% of Conservative MPs say they still support it. Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said in March this year that it would be “impossible” to achieve net zero by 2050.

However, Alasdair Johnstone, political and polling lead, ECIU, said that from the poll, most Conservative MPs didn’t agree or didn’t have a view on the statement. 

The poll found 39% of Conservative MPs in agreement with Badenoch’s statement, 29% disagreed, 18% said they heard it, but didn’t know what to think and 14% didn’t know in general. 

However, only 66% of MPs described reaching net zero as “essential” in order to stop climate change, although only 10% said the opposite was true. 

Commenting on the findings, Johnstone said the clear majority of the British public support the net-zero target, and even the majority of Reform voters support action to tackle climate change, yet there’s still confusion among MPs. 

“This confusion is over the fact that reaching net zero is essential for the world to stop climate change and the floods and droughts it causes getting ever worse,” he said. 

“With the second worst harvest on record in England last year following a climate-fuelled wet winter and possibly the driest spring on record leaving fields dry and cracked, the impacts of climate change are coming ever closer to home for constituents and MPs alike.” 

The poll also showed there remains a gap between MPs and their view of public attitudes when it comes to energy infrastructure. 

Johnstone said that MPs thought their constituents would like to oppose (44%) than support (16%) onshore wind, oppose (36%) rather than support (16%) new solar site and oppose (79%) rather than support (5%) a new fracking site. 

Forty percent of Conservative MPs would support a fracking site in their constituency even though 75% thought a majority of their constituents would oppose it. 

“The recent poll released by Climate Barometer of public attitudes to energy infrastructure built in their area revealed that 69% would support onshore wind, 73% for new solar, with fracking opposed by 61%,” Johnstone said. 

Elsewhere, a poll carried out by Focaldata for ECIU at the time of the local elections found that 54% of those who planned to vote Reform supported the concept of introducing policies to support climate change. This also included targets to keep the UK on track for meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets. 

Written By

Tamara Birch Newsletter and sponsored content editor

Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.

She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment – all while reducing monthly costs.

In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.

Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.

More about

Reviewed By

Maximilian Schwerdtfeger Content manager

Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.

In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.

He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.

Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.

As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.

His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.

Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history and ghost stories. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.

More about