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The ClimateInstitute

Climate of the Nation 2015Australian Attitudes on Climate Change

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For 10 years The Climate Institute has tackled climate change with a focus on international accountability, economic transformation and societal leadership.Keeping track of public attitudes to climate change has been essential to guide where we can be most effective.We have bold and ambitious goals. But we also have a track record of getting difficult things done.Our philanthropic backing ensures that we have the independence, agility and freedom to get things done.Please consider donating to The Climate Institute – our work is not possible without your generosity.

The Climate InstituteWho we are and what we do

Images: Michael Hall, Creative Fellow of The Climate Institute

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Climate of the Nation 2015Since 2007, The Climate Institute has conducted research into Australian attitudes to climate change and related policies, published via its Climate of the Nation reports.

The 2015 edition, summarized in this presentation, compares benchmarked data from similar work in 2014, 2013, 2012, and some times earlier.

The report draws on a nationally representative quantitative (poll) research conducted by Galaxy Research via an online survey between July 27-29 2015.

Over the years the report has become a key tool for media, NGOs and others interested in tracking public opinion on climate change in Australia.

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Key findings

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Attitudes

+ In 2015 acceptance climate change is occurring is unchanged from 2014 with a large majority (70%) agreeing - but this is up 6 points from 2012.

+ Men are more likely to that think climate change is not occurring – 15% vs 8% of women. Only 10% overall do not accept it is occurring, down 7 points from 2012.

+ Australians under 34 are more likely to agree that climate change is occurring, with 78% of this view compared to 71% of 34-54 year olds and 62% of those over 55.

93% of those who accept climate change is occurring also agree that Australia is feeling the impacts now, up 4 points from 2014.

Research into Australian attitudes about climate change highlights that 2012 was a low point and that attitudes have been rebounding across a range of indicators since then.

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AttitudesAmong those who accept that climate change is occurring, 89% (up 5 points on 2014) think that humans are at least partly the cause.

+ 41% say that humans are the main cause, up 6 points.

+ 48% say that climate change is caused by a mix of human causes and natural cycles, down 1 point.

+ 10% say that climate change is mainly caused by natural cycles, down 4 points –down 7 points from 2012.

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Attitudes

More Australians than ever recorded by Climate of the Nation research now say that they trust the science of climate change.+ A majority of 57% now hold this view, up 6

points from 2014, and up 11 points from 2012.

More now disagree that “the seriousness of climate change is exaggerated” than agree. This is now an important trend as last year marked the first time the tables turned.+ 44% disagree it is exaggerated, while now only

32% agree. + Last year 41% disagreed and 36% agreed. + Older Australians (55+ years of age) are the

only demographic where more see the seriousness of climate change as exaggerated.

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THE CORE ELEMENT OF THE OVERNMENT’S CURRENT POLICY IS UNPOPULAR WITH 76% OF AUSTRALIANS WANTING POLICY TO SHIFT RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLLUTION REDUCTION TO THE POLLUTERS, NOT THE TAXPAYERS.

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Solutions & leadership

63% of Australians say that the conservative Abbott government should take climate change more seriously, up 6 points from last year.+ Younger and middle aged people are most

likely to agree (70% of 18 to 34 year olds and 64% of 35 to 54 year olds vs 56% of 55+).

59% agree that the government underestimates the seriousness of climate change. 59% want the nation to be a leader in climate solutions.

Two in three Australians think that governments need to regulate carbon pollution.

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Australia’s post-2020 carbon pollution reduction target Only 11% agree the post-2020 pollution reduction targets should be based on what a “similar resource country like Canada does” (intentionally loaded to test this comparison), with UK and Germany (5%), China (3%) and US (2%) much lower. Half say it should be based on the science of climate change with 27% unsure.

The science of climate change, not what other nations are doing

51%

What the USA does 2%What a similar resource country such as Canada does 11%

What China does 3%What European countries like the UK and Germany do 5%

Don’t know 27%

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Opposition alternatives

While recent renewable energy targets better reflect public sentiment, questions of ALP remain – policy detail and communication will be important. The ‘carbon tax spectre’ loses its sting.

+ 47% think that ALP policies will “just increase electricity prices and not do much about pollution”.

+ Only 36% say that they won’t vote for the ALP because they will bring back the carbon tax, with a 24% neutral and 28% disagreeing.

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SUPPORT FOR SOLAR AND WIND HAS GROWN, DESPITE THE SIGNIFICANT RECENT GOVERNMENT-LED CUT TO THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET AND OTHER ATTACKS ON CLEAN ENERGY.

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Preferred energy mix

Despite a year which has seen renewable energy targets wound back, and attacks on wind power, support for both solar and wind in Australians’ preferred energy mix has grown.

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Coal phase out is inevitable

+ 71% of Australians agree “it is inevitable that Australia’s current coal fired generation will need to be replaced”.

+ 72% agree “governments need a plan to ensure the orderly closure of old coal plants and their replacement with clean energy”.

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Renewables are seen as the future

+ Two in three Australians agree “reducing investment in wind farms and subsidies for household solar is the opposite of what is needed”.

+ 71% per cent agree “tackling climate change creates new opportunities in renewable energy”.

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More information

www.climateinstitute.org.au/climate-of-the-nation-2015.html

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This project was conducted with the support from:Grant Mathews/Curlew Fund (a sub fund of the Australian Communities Foundation)Hamer Family Fund (a sub fund of the Australian Communities Foundation)The Mullum Trust (a sub fund of the Australian Communities Foundation)Stephen Whately

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Get involved

We face a time that is make or break for climate policy, globally and at home. All of Australia’s future climate and renewable energy policy framework is being decided so there has never been a more critical time to make your voice heard: we need climate action more than ever.

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For more information visit, www.climateinstitute.org.au