How the UK public really feel about climate change
We’re worried, we’re weary – but we still believe in better.
When it comes to climate change, the space between where we want to be and where we are can feel disheartening. But a recent public attitudes tracker from DESNZ paints a more nuanced and hopeful picture.
Despite the headlines, political noise and cost-of-living pressures, our love for the planet hasn’t dimmed. We still want clean energy, greener homes and a future that feels fair. But our confidence in Net Zero targets has diminished, and serious concerns over energy bills remain.
In this blog, we’ll explain what’s happening, where public sentiment stands, and discuss: is net zero a lost cause?
A grand vision under pressure
Described as a “grand vision” by some, “madness” by others, the UK government is legally committed to reach net zero by 2050. Having garnered nearly unanimous support when introduced, the target’s consensus has splintered, with major parties disputing its necessity, affordability, and value.
The Tory party argue that “arbitrary” net zero targets have hurt the economy, blaming the policy for higher energy bills and deindustrialisation in the UK. Reform mirrors this position, and both parties have promised to scrap net zero targets and subsidies altogether, supporting drilling for oil and gas if they get into power.
On the other hand, Green MP, Carla Denyer, has accused said parties of “sell[ing] the lie” that net zero will harm working people. With rising poll numbers and record membership, the party is calling for faster action on renewables and a stricter phase-out of fossil fuels, signalling stronger public demand for consistent climate leadership.
Amidst this growing polarisation, Labour is reaffirming their stance to make the UK a ‘clean energy superpower’. At COP30, Secretary of State for Energy Security, Ed Miliband, asserted that surrendering on climate is “anti-jobs” and “anti-future generations”. Both parties argue that green growth is about more than the environment: it’s about energy security, fairness and opportunity.
So, how do the British public feel about net zero today?
The hope: Britain’s green heart keeps beating
According to the DESNZ public attitudes tracker, caring for the planet remains a national instinct:
- Concern about climate change has risen since spring, now at 79%, proving the UK’s environmental conscience is still alive and well.
- Net zero has entered the national vocabulary, with data suggesting near universal, 91% awareness rate.
- Support for renewable energy remains strong at 80%, with almost half of the population open to welcoming a solar farm in their area, and more than a third say the same about onshore wind.
Across the country, households are ready to do their bit to embrace cleaner living:
- Nearly nine in ten people agree we need to transform how our homes are heated to reach net zero, and 60% of people feel well-informed about saving energy at home (up from 54% last year).
- Most people know what a heat pump is and the benefits they offer, while nearly a quarter of homeowners say they’re likely to install one in future.
The hesitation: Britain’s crisis of confidence
Public confidence in achieving net zero has faltered:
- Only 17% of people believe the UK will reach its net zero target by 2050, while 72% say they’re not confident we’ll get there.
- High concern about energy prices persists, with 91% expecting costs to rise over the next 10–20 years.
- More people than ever before (81%) recognise the need to expand the energy grid, yet just 18% are happy to see new infrastructure built locally. The most common reasons for opposition include impacts on landscapes (60%) and local wildlife (57%).
When it comes to powering our homes, financial strain and questions over control remain:
- Almost half (47%) remain worried about energy bills, though this has gradually fallen from 66% in 2023.
- Trust in how suppliers use smart data remains split. Around half are comfortable sharing data or allowing suppliers to manage usage – the other half are not.
The risk: the cost of complacency
Experts warn that scaling back on commitments or delaying action risks undermining the UK’s progress towards net zero altogether. Each compromise – whether on targets, investment, or infrastructure – makes it harder and more expensive to reach our goals later.
What was recently a shared national goal is currently being weaponised – framed by some as costly, elitist, or unrealistic. This doesn’t just distort the facts; it distracts from the real issue. In reality, watering down policies now could lock in higher emissions and lost opportunities for decades to come.
Tom Parsons, Commercial Director at Good Energy
Despite the noise, the data shows that people still care deeply about the planet, want renewable power, and are ready to act. The majority of British people understand that climate impacts are real, but need reassurance from policymakers that the path to net zero will be practical and beneficial for all.
