Public: Government Should Intervene On Climate Change... Just Don't Tax Us
In the wake of the recent flooding that has inundated vast swathes of the country the debate about climate change continues to gather pace.
In particular, the role of government and its response to climate change is increasingly under scrutiny. Here, words and statements of intent are as ubiquitous as the rising water -- each of the main political parties has repeatedly acknowledged the need for action to both mitigate and adapt to the threat of climate change. However, the focus is turning towards delivery and, as it does, two questions are critical. What do the public think Government should do? And, in view of the long and lingering shadow that the fuel protests of 2000 have cast over eco taxation, what level and kinds of intervention are they willing to accept?
Our report Tipping Point or Turning Point, Social Marketing & Climate Change finds a complex pattern. First, there is no lack of support for government intervention in principle. A strong majority (66%) believe that the UK can make a real difference in stopping climate change, and the British public, more so than their European counterparts, strongly support action at the national level in preference to supra national organisations like the EU.
The call for a collective response lies in the public's demand for assurances that their individual actions will be matched by others: over half (54%), fearful of making personal sacrifices that would quickly be negated by 'free riders', say they would take more steps on climate change if others did too. Fairness and equity are clearly key.
All of this equates to a clear and strong statement of intent among the public: 70% agree the Government should take the lead in combating climate change, even if it means using the law to change people's behaviour.
