Only 3 in 10 confident the government will meet its commitment to help poorer countries tackle climate change

COP27

Just three in ten people are confident that the UK government will meet their pledge to tackle climate change and limit its impacts in lower income countries, a new survey has revealed.

The survey, carried out on behalf of Concern Worldwide (UK), an international humanitarian charity, revealed that just three in ten people are confident that the UK government will meet their pledge to provide £11.6 billion over five years to lower income countries.

Other findings include:

two thirds of the public are not confident that the UK will reach net zero by 2050
68% think higher income countries - that have historically produced more climate harming emissions - should pay to help tackle climate change and limit its impacts in lower income countries that have produced less climate harming emissions.

The results come the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed he will attend COP27 – the annual United Nations climate change conference that brings together almost 200 countries for a global climate summit.

Danny Harvey, Executive Director of Concern Worldwide UK, said:

“At a time when millions are dealing with the devastating impacts of climate change, these results clearly show that the UK public is compassionate to the needs of those who are impacted by the changes that richer countries are most responsible for.

“They also show that the UK public have little confidence in our government to deliver on their promises, both in reducing the UK’s emissions in the future and in supporting poorer countries to tackle climate change.

“As Rishi Sunak announces that he will be attending COP27, we’re pleased he has realised the importance of his presence at the event. With the Autumn Statement falling at the same time as COP27, we hope that he will be able to back positive words with the budget to put them into action. He has work to do to rebuild the UK’s global and domestic credibility on emissions reductions, made in a socially just way, and on commitments to those people worst affected by climate impacts.”

The results come amidst multiple climate induced humanitarian crises, from the deadly floods in Pakistan affecting 33 million people, to the drought across East Africa where one person is likely to die of hunger every 36 seconds between now and the end of the year.

Ipsos interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,082 adults aged 16-75 in the UK. Interviews took place online on 23rd-28th October 2022. Data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions.

For more information or interview requests contact Charlotte Mallory, Senior Communications Officer at [email protected]