NEW POLL: More than four out of five Britons support action to fight climate change and curb harmful methane emissions

LONDON: According to a new poll, Britons overwhelmingly support taking action to minimise the impacts of climate change (84 per cent total support, including 37 per cent who strongly support).

In the first international poll on climate change and methane commissioned by the Global Methane Hub that analyses public support for solutions worldwide, 83 per cent of Britons specifically support reducing emissions of the methane gas to fight climate change (including 27 per cent who strongly support).

Kim O’Dowd, Climate Campaigner at the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), said: ‘’In light of these compelling poll results, the UK Government cannot continue turning a blind eye on this super pollutant. Despite pledging to contribute to reducing global methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 at the CoP26 climate summit, through the Global Methane Pledge, tangible progress toward this goal remains elusive.

“The methane memorandum released by the Government in 2022 falls short as it lacks the necessary measures to make significant reductions within the limited timeframe we have. What’s urgently needed are concrete regulations targeting key sectors to rapidly cut methane emissions.

“Time is running out and the Government must take decisive action to honour its commitments and confront this critical challenge.”

Methane gas emissions have contributed to about one-third of the warming we are experiencing today, causing harm to communities around the globe. As policymakers look for solutions to cool the planet following the hottest year on record, reducing methane by 45 per cent is crucial to lowering warming by 0.3 degrees Celsius by 2040. Over a 20-year time scale, methane is 86 times more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas and 28 times more potent over a 100-year time scale.

Globally, the poll reached people in 17 countries across six continents – Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, South Korea, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The online survey gathered data from a total of 12,976 adults, at least 750 in each country, and asked respondents questions on key issues ranging from views on climate change, environmental concerns and support for action, knowledge of methane gas emissions and support for specific policies to reduce methane gas emissions.

In all 17 countries surveyed, respondents indicated significant support for policy solutions that would make strides toward tackling climate change. Overall, 82 per cent of respondents say they support actions taken to minimise methane emissions, with 39 per cent showing strong support.

“Reducing methane emissions is the fastest way to drive down global temperature, and reduce the impacts of climate change,” said Marcelo Mena, CEO of Global Methane Hub. “The survey shows that countries most impacted by climate change are also those who most support mitigating methane. The good news is that doing so will also bring additional benefits, including energy and food security and healthier communities.”

In terms of more detailed methane reduction policies, 78 per cent of Britons surveyed support implementing a ban on biodegradable waste disposal into landfills, a major source of methane gas emissions.

Around the world, people surveyed feel that national governments, corporations, and international governmental systems are far more capable than individual citizens to make meaningful changes to minimise the impacts of climate change.

O’Dowd added: “EIA will be closely monitoring the actions undertaken by the UK Government and push for the adoption of robust regulations to effectively mitigate methane emissions. For instance, we urge the swift implementation of measures to limit methane leaks in the fossil fuel sector, along with the enforcement of bans on routine venting and flaring.

“These steps are not only effective, they can also be very cost-effective. Other countries, such as the US, Canada, Nigeria and the EU have already done so. It’s high time for the UK to follow suit.’’.

CONTACTS FOR MEDIA

• Kim O’Dowd, EIA UK Climate Campaigner, via kimodowd[at]eia-international.org
• Paul Newman, EIA UK Senior Press & Communications Officer, via press[at]eia-international.org
• Jerralyn Davis, Global Methane Hub, jerralyn.davis[at]berlinrosen.com

EDITORS’ NOTES

1. EIA investigates and campaigns against environmental crime and abuse. Its undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime, with a focus on elephants, pangolins and tigers and forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops such as palm oil. It works to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution, bycatch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Finally, it works to avert climate catastrophe by strengthening and enforcing regional and international agreements that tackle short-lived climate super-pollutants, including ozone-depleting substances, hydrofluorocarbons and methane, and advocating corporate and policy measures to promote transition to a sustainable cooling sector and away from fossil fuels. It uses its findings in hard-hitting reports to campaign for new legislation, improved governance and more effective enforcement. Its field experience is used to provide guidance to enforcement agencies and it forms partnerships with local groups and activists and support their work through hands-on training
2. The Global Methane Hub organises the field of philanthropists, experts, nonprofits and government organisations to ensure we unite around a strategy to maximise methane reductions. We have raised more than $200 million in pooled funds from more than 20 of the largest climate philanthropies to accelerate methane mitigation across the globe.
3. Survey methodology: BSG conducted a 10-minute online poll between 14 November and 11 December, 2023, in 17 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, South Korea, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and the United States. BSG collected a total of 12,976 completes, comprised of a minimum of n=750 responses in each country from people currently residing in the country who are 18 years of age or older and have internet access. BSG applied weights to age, gender and education to ensure collected samples were representative of adults 18+ who have internet access in each country. The survey was conducted in a total of 15 languages. The margin of error for the total sample of each country is approximately ±3.58 per cent and varies slightly between countries due to differences in sample size. Note: When “total study” or “overall” figures are referenced, they are representative of the 17 countries surveyed, weighted for population size.

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