Only a third of respondents would support road pricing measures

Public oppose carbon pricing policies

Ecologist

2nd September, 2009

While we accept the threat of climate change the majority of us are still opposed to compulsory changes such as carbon pricing, new survey shows

The vast majority of the British public oppose many of the key measures, such as pay-per-mile road schemes, that might be necessary to achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions, according to a Guardian/ICM poll.

A high percentage of respondents (85 per cent) agreed that climate change was already, or would be, a threat in the future. Almost as many (75 per cent) people thought people should drive less and 69 per cent thought people should cut down on flying.

However, when it came to compulsory measures that might be necessary to bring about these reductions, public support fell away.

Just 33 per cent would back a pay-per-mile charging scheme for road use, and only 29 per cent said they were prepared to pay more for gas and electricity to cut waste.

There was some positive news for the renewable sector, however, with 79 per cent saying they would not object to one being built within 20 miles of their home, and 67 per cent say they would even support a windfarm in sight of their house.

Useful links
Guardian/ICM poll

See also