A new poll reveals how badly people think all main parties are faring on tackling the nature and climate crises. It reveals that a majority of the public in the South West of England think the main parties are doing poorly on river pollution (89%), nature loss (80%), climate change (74%), and ensuring communities can benefit from nature (75%).
And yet the poll shows environmental issues are a key concern for voters:
- 82% think that nature is important for our well-being and economic prosperity
- Most people (57%) consider environmental issues to be at least as important as other issues facing the country
- 34% will vote based on environmental policies offered by candidates
The poll was conducted by Savanta and commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts: 2,221 UK adults were interviewed between 31st May and 2nd June 2024.
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“People know that our natural world is in crisis and that this disaster has consequences for us all. Last year’s State of Nature report revealed catastrophic declines in wildlife with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction from Britain. Nature is in freefall and this fact has repercussions for our health, our ability to produce food, and our capacity to withstand floods, drought and heat.
“The UK has endured its first ever 40°C day and we’ve suffered the wettest 18 months since records began. The Climate Change Committee, who advise the UK Government on climate, has cautioned that the UK has lost its position as a global leader on climate, and that policy development and implementation continues to be too slow. We’re appealing to all candidates to champion the greatest challenge of our times and show the leadership that people want to see – they must put restoring nature at the heart of their campaigns.”