New poll shows Aussies back strong climate action, as unnatural disasters dent productivity

Climate Council and Climate Action Network Media Release

A NEW NATIONAL YOUGOV POLL SHOWS the majority of Australians support stronger climate action – including setting a strong 2035 climate target – as the Productivity Commission warns climate damage is a major drag on the economy.

A survey of more than 1500 Australians found that more than three-quarters (77%) want the government’s climate plan to aim to limit risks from extreme weather events like bushfires.

This view is shared across the political spectrum, including 3 in 4 major party voters. Just 13% of Australians think the government should do less to limit the impacts of extreme weather events.

The concern about unnatural disasters is shared by the Productivity Commission, which this week found that climate damage from escalating extreme weather events is a major risk to Australia’s productivity, and investment is needed to cut pollution and protect our homes.

Setting a new climate target for 2035 is one of the Albanese Government’s most important tasks in this new Parliament. The government is expected to reveal its plan by September, following advice from the Climate Change Authority. This new polling finds an overwhelming majority of Labor voters – 7 in 10 – want the government to set a strong target.

The YouGov poll for the Climate Council and the Climate Action Network released today, finds:

• 77% of Australians want the government’s climate plan to aim to limit risks from extreme weather events like bushfires.
• This view is shared across the political spectrum, including 3 in 4 major party voters.
• Just 13% of Australians think the government should do less to limit the impacts of climate-fuelled extreme weather events.
• 6 in 10 Australians (61%) think the Federal Government should do more on climate change.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “We know that setting a strong 2035 climate target will help protect Australians from climate harm while driving new jobs and economic opportunities. Now, this new polling confirms that strong climate targets are popular too.

“Climate action and renewable power have been vote-winners at the last two federal elections. Voters’ concerns about extreme weather are justifiably growing more urgent. Almost 8 in 10 want Australia’s climate plans to reduce risk from climate-fuelled extreme weather, while more than 6 in 10 think the government should do more overall on climate.”

This polling again confirms that Australia’s largest Australian voting block, Millennials and Gen Z, support strong climate action – right now, that means having a credible plan to cut pollution by 2035. Almost three-quarters (68%) of Generation Z voters in this survey expect the government to set a strong 2035 target.

The Climate Action Network Program Director Barry Traill said: “Support for credible climate action and strong, science-backed pollution reduction targets are solidly mainstream positions in Australia. MPs can’t afford to turn their backs on people losing their lives, their savings and their homes. Climate denial has and will continue to be punished at the ballot box. Australians want real action to protect lives and livelihoods.”

 

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