Concern about climate change overshadowed by cost of living pressures
In a period marked by heavy inflation, the cost of living is the biggest concern among Britons, however environmental concern remains stable amidst record-breaking temperatures according to new Ipsos research for EDF.
2022 was marked by record-breaking high temperatures in Britain and subsequently the British public feel that they have seen the effects of climate change much more than last year (+8). Despite this, concern for the environment remains relatively stable (43%, -2pts), overshadowed by the cost of living crisis which has seen a steep increase and is the main subject of concern (77%, up +25 pts since 2021).
However, while many continue to feel that priority should be given to the environment even if it may slow down economic growth, there is acknowledgment by the public of the reality - that focus will be on the economy over the next few months. Among the top environment issues that are most concerning for Britons are climate change (56%), the accumulation of waste (52%), and extreme climate events (49%).
EDF’s new, broad scope opinion study, conducted by Ipsos, reveals who is expected to act to fight climate change, including which actions individuals are willing to take and the acceptability of different measures that could be adopted by the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Every year, EDF publishes an international status report on opinions, knowledge, expectations and levels of engagement in relation to climate change. Below you can find the UK report and a link to the full study of 30 countries across 5 continents which covers two-thirds of the world’s population and features the biggest CO2 producers.
Technical Note
- Nationally representative sample of the population aged 16 and over.
- Data collection method: Ipsos online panel
- Sample size: 1000 respondents
- Quotas: gender, age, region, profession, agglomeration size
- Fieldwork dates: 31 August to 6 September 2022
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