A poll has been conducted across five federal electorates, finding that a majority of respondents support a ban on new gas and coal projects, and unlimited carbon offsets to expand fossil fuels is not widely support.
The poll was conducted by uComms, on behalf of the Australia Institute, across Mackellar, Goldstein, Sydney, Bennelong and Moreton.
Executive director of the Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss, said the science shows that to tackle climate change, new gas and coal projects need to stop. The research shows that the public understands this and that parliament should follow suit.
“With the cost-of-living skyrocketing, Australians are dealing with the high-cost consequences of relying on gas and coal power. It is clear the government needs to help Australia decarbonise and plan the shift to renewables,” Dr Denniss said.
“The research shows that most carbon offsets are nothing more than hot air. Polluting industries should be incentivised to decarbonise, not simply hide behind offsets.”
Key findings from the polling:
Commonwealth Government gas and coal project approvals
- Majority of Mackellar voters (60 per cent) support stopping new coal and gas projects, of those, 33 per cent support phasing down production from existing fossil fuel projects, while 27 per cent support allowing existing fossil fuel projects to continue operating
- Majority of Goldstein voters (54 per cent) support stopping new coal and gas projects, of those, 27 per cent support phasing down production from existing fossil fuel projects, while 27 per cent support allowing existing fossil fuel projects to continue operating
- Majority of Sydney voters (65 per cent) support stopping new coal and gas projects, of those, 40 per cent support phasing down production from existing fossil fuel projects, while 25 per cent support allowing existing fossil fuel projects to continue operating
- Majority of Bennelong voters (53 per cent) support stopping new coal and gas projects, of those, 25 per cent support phasing down production from existing fossil fuel projects, while 28 per cent support allowing existing fossil fuel projects to continue operating
- Majority of Moreton voters (51 per cent) support stopping new coal and gas projects, of those, 26 per cent support phasing down production from existing fossil fuel projects, while 25 per cent support allowing existing fossil fuel projects to continue operating
Directly reducing emissions vs buying carbon offsets
- Seven per cent of Mackellar voters believe polluting projects should be allowed to buy carbon offsets to account for all their emissions
- 12 per cent of Goldstein voters believe polluting projects should be allowed to buy carbon offsets to account for all their emissions
- Nine per cent of Sydney voters believe polluting projects should be allowed to buy carbon offsets to account for all their emissions
- Nine per cent of Bennelong voters believe polluting projects should be allowed to buy carbon offsets to account for all their emissions
- Eleven per cent of Moreton voters believe polluting projects should be allowed to buy carbon offsets to account for all their emissions
The polling took place between 9-14 of March 2023.
