The 2017 Ipsos Climate Change Report

As of 2017 we have over a decade worth of data about Australians’ views on climate change and other environmental issues. Each year, we ask a nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 Australians to tell us their thoughts and opinions about key climate change issues.

Summary

Despite a recent move towards global consensus on climate change action, the views of Australians have remained relatively stable. That climate change is caused by human activities is not disputed by the majority of the public, but those who oppose this idea remain a significant minority.

For those wishing to continue to advocate for reforms to tackle climate change and mitigate the impacts, there is still a long way to go to move the public discourse on climate change. There is still substantial confusion about some aspects of climate change causes and impacts and a risk that Australians will become further disengaged unless they feel empowered (through communities or via our Government) that progress can be made.

Australians see the Federal Government as mainly responsible for action on climate change and furthermore, are supportive of the Federal Government setting a national target for the proportion of energy generated from renewable sources.

Although we see business and industry as being responsible for many of the processes that cause climate change, we do not see it as the key party to take action. That responsibility is seen as resting with the Federal Government. This makes climate change action policies all the more critical in the eyes of the community.