Political elites are out of step with the public appetite for net zero, according to analysis that identifies rightwing media narratives as fuelling a false backlash against climate action. Media coverage of net zero is more than twice as likely to be negative than public attitudes and is driving a false perception that net zero policies are unpopular with voters, the analysis found.
This echo chamber of elite opinion, the analysis says, has led to a situation where MPs significantly underestimate public support for climate policies and overestimate public opposition to local clean energy infrastructure projects. Politicians with Reform UK and the Conservative party have constructed a claim to voters that their opposition is on the side of ordinary voters against a distrusted elite. “The success of a populist message around Brexit, plus significant financial backing from the fossil fuel industry and climate sceptics, makes this an appealing topic and approach for those on the right of UK politics,” the analysis says.
Nevertheless, polling shows that despite the attitudes of politicians and relentless rhetoric against it, a strong core of 40% of voters remain strongly behind net zero, almost double the 24% who are implacably opposed to it.
This echo chamber of elite opinion, the analysis says, has led to a situation where MPs significantly underestimate public support for climate policies and overestimate public opposition to local clean energy infrastructure projects. Politicians with Reform UK and the Conservative party have constructed a claim to voters that their opposition is on the side of ordinary voters against a distrusted elite. “The success of a populist message around Brexit, plus significant financial backing from the fossil fuel industry and climate sceptics, makes this an appealing topic and approach for those on the right of UK politics,” the analysis says.
Nevertheless, polling shows that despite the attitudes of politicians and relentless rhetoric against it, a strong core of 40% of voters remain strongly behind net zero, almost double the 24% who are implacably opposed to it.
