A wind farm in the hills to the south of Glasgow, Scotland.

Apathy and opposition: Understanding the real threats to net zero

Article

Climate action is under siege from populist and far-right actors. Delivering under that pressure demands fresh confidence and commitment from government. 

Watering down ambition offers no electoral advantage; a strong, progressive agenda on climate action remains broadly popular with the public.

Elite opinion on net zero is highly polarised, with a precipitous drop in support on the political right since the general election in 2024. This is not mirrored in public opinion, where support has remained steady and is much higher than politicians credit. The notion of a wide-spread public backlash against net zero in the UK is a largely exaggerated one, amplified by right-leaning media.

Related items

  1. Dramatic high-angle drone photograph of decommissioned oil platforms anchored in the Cromarty Firth, near Invergordon, Scotland, as the sun sets over a calm North Sea

    Allies for delivery: Rebuilding faith in Scottish politics via the North Sea

    Can Scottish politicians still build enough of a consensus to deliver meaningful change for disillusioned voters?
  2. A close up photo of a bricklayer smoothing cement between a layer of red bricks

    Beyond boom and bust: The supply case for social housing

    How the government can use social housing to unlock housing supply and demand.
  3. A wind turbine stands in the middle of a field of solar panels on a sunny day

    The wiring behind rewiring the state: Energy devolution in England

    How the government can give local leaders the opportunities to lead energy transformation locally.