Growing Number Of People Think Climate Claims Are Exaggerated, Poll Finds

60% of people in the UK believe that concerns around climate change ‘have not been exaggerated’, according to a poll by YouGov.

While this is still a vast majority, it’s down from 64% in January 2024. The poll has been conducted bi-monthly since July 2019, the year when Theresa May’s government first set the target of achieving net zero by 2050.

The most recent data shows those who believe climate claims are exaggerated are still the minority (26%), but this group has been gradually growing from just 22% in January 2024.

These numbers come as right-wing parties like Reform UK are pushing to do away with the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, with the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, saying he wants to “scrap net stupid zero targets”. The right-wing, immigration-focused party reportedly won 677 seats in May’s local elections.

Growing climate-change denial in the UK appears to mirror events taking place in the USA under President Donald Trump, who wants to scrap all carbon emission-reducing measures and, in April, issued an executive order to block individual states from combating climate change .

Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, recently affirmed his desire to push for net zero targets and to increase the country’s drive for a “low-carbon future”, however, last year it was revealed that, last year, The Labour Party accepted millions in donations from a company which invests in fossil fuels, putting their climate ambitions in doubt.

The Green Party who also made advancements in May’s local elections, have seen a net gain of 43 seats. The party aims to push for a greener economy, including phasing out fossil fuels and nationalising rail, water and energy companies. On the subject of climate change denial, the Green’s co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, labelled Reform UK’s leader a “con artist” who is “bank-rolled by fossil fuel interests, climate deniers, and major polluters”.

Green Party campaigning in Newcastle (Credit: Kai Palmer)

As the impacts of climate change intensify and the window for meaningful action narrows, it is crucial for people to remain engaged and advocate for the policies that will best mitigate these effects. With elections on the horizon, voting for leaders who prioritize climate action can be an important step toward ensuring a sustainable future.