More than four in five Britons believe politicians are ignoring environmental issues in the run up to the election, according to new research

A new survey has revealed that 82% of the nation believe that Green policies are being ignored by political parties. This is despite the fact that nearly two thirds (64%) of Britons say that Green issues should be one of the top three priorities for parties as the election approaches.

And two thirds (66%) agree that politicians who don’t take on these issues are letting down their children and their children’s children. 

Research commissioned by Daikin, a leading manufacturer of sustainable heating and cooling solutions, found that 81% of Brits believe that the argument over whether climate change is happening is over and now is the time for action. With 17% of heating emissions from buildings coming from homes in the UK, it is no wonder that these issues are important to the nation.

Over half (56%) go a step further and say they would be prepared to demonstrate their annoyance at the lack of action by changing their votes to a party that takes Green issues, such as decarbonising homes, more seriously. 

Action on climate change is so important to Britons that it came third on a list of priorities that the country sees as most important - health was top (71%), followed by economic stability (61%) and then climate change and the environment (53%). 

However, the poll of 2,000 Britons found that the cynicism in our political system has led to just 23% of us believing that the UK will meet its legally binding commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

The research also revealed that the nation is not relying solely on the Government pushing the Green Agenda, with the majority of Brits either taking, or wanting to take, major steps to reduce their impact on the environment. In fact, over three quarters (76% respondents said that they would like to make their home more energy efficient. 

However, high costs of materials (57%), expensive installation (42%) and no subsidy or assistance from the Government (28%) were given as reasons why they had not carried out works to date. 

No surprise then that over three quarters (78%) do not believe that the government is doing enough to introduce energy efficient solutions, such as heat pumps, into British homes, while a further 86% say that the government should do MORE to get our housing stock insulated. 

Despite this, eight in ten (86%) agree that politicians have an obligation to explain to voters why green projects are beneficial both financially and environmentally, with 70% thinking that the Government must explain more about how low carbon heating systems work to encourage public take up. 

Commenting on the research finding, Simon Chapman, National Residential Business Manager from Daikin said “This research shows how important green issues are in the general election. Politicians risk losing votes if they don’t give these issues the same priority as the electorate. Daikin has published its Low Carbon Heating Manifesto that sets out the policies that the next Government should introduce to decarbonise the nation’s domestic heating. The public can show their support for this by signing the open letter on our website.**

He added “Brits want to take action on climate change both on a national scale and in their own homes. People want to make their homes more sustainable and support the move to net zero, however, they need a government that is driving the issue forward, through policies such as training more low-carbon installers, introducing the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, committing to the Future Homes Standard and supporting the deployment of renewable energy.”

The study also found that the nation is willing to get behind strong policies to reduce our impact on the world, with two thirds (66%) agreeing that fossil fuel boilers should be banned from new homes as soon as possible.

Interestingly, while the over 60s were less likely to change their vote based on Green policies - with only 33% saying they would, compared to 76% of 18 to 44 year olds - they were actually more likely to think that the environment was an important electoral issue. Over half (55%) picked it as a top concern compared to just 50% of Gen Z and Millennials. 

For more information, please contact daikin@wildcard.co.uk

This research of 2,000 British-based adults was commissioned by Daikin and conducted via an online survey during May 2024.

Daikin, as one the UK’s most significant providers of sustainable heating and cooling systems, has created its own manifesto as part its drive to support home owners to achieve net zero. They have also published an open letter asking the public and industry to show their support. For the full manifesto from Daikin, and to support the Open Letter, please visit https://www.daikin.co.uk/en_gb/residential/about-us/low-carbon-heating-manifesto.html