48 percent Want to Pay ‘Nothing’ to Achieve Net Zero by 2050
According to a poll commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), 48 percent of Australians said they want to pay nothing towards Australia reducing emissions to zero by 2050. Only 2 percent are willing to pay more than $500 annually.
The poll, conducted by Dynata in early June, asked Australians about the main focus of the federal government’s energy policy. The results showed that 57 percent prioritize affordability, while 24 percent prioritize reliability. Only 19 percent believe in meeting the net zero emissions target by 2050.
IPA Deputy Executive Director Daniel Wild noted that the support for prioritizing affordability and reliability has increased from 72 percent to 81 percent compared to previous years.
Mr. Wild emphasized that almost half of Australians are not willing to pay anything to reach net zero emissions. This reflects the limited support for the policy of net zero emissions by 2050.
54 percent of Australians Want to Abandon Net Zero Target
The poll also revealed that 54 percent of Australians believe the country should pause its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 until there are enough energy supplies to avoid blackouts. This marks a shift from previous years.
On the other hand, a separate poll by the Lowy Institute found that 57 percent of Australians consider global warming a serious and pressing problem. The poll also highlighted generational and political divides in views on global warming.
Overall, the polls indicate a strong emphasis on affordability and reliability in energy policy, with a significant portion of Australians unwilling to pay towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
