New poll finds most people think main parties falter on nature and climate crises in the run up to General Election

A new poll reveals how badly people think all main parties are faring on tackling the nature and climate crises. It reveals that a majority of the public think the main parties are doing poorly on river pollution (78%), nature loss (71%), climate change (69%), ensuring communities can benefit from nature (65%), and supporting sustainable food production (63%).

And yet the poll shows environmental issues are a key concern for voters:

• 79% think that nature is important for our well-being and economic prosperity
• Most people (59%) consider environmental issues to be at least as important as other issues facing the country
• 39% will vote based on environmental policies offered by candidates

The poll was conducted by Savanta and commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts: 2,221 UK adults were interviewed between 31st May and 2nd June 2024.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“People know that our natural world is in crisis and that this disaster has consequences for us all. Last year’s State of Nature report revealed catastrophic declines in wildlife with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction from Britain. Nature is in freefall and this fact has repercussions for our health, our ability to produce food, and our capacity to withstand floods, drought and heat.

“The UK has endured its first ever 40°C day and we’ve suffered the wettest 18 months since records began. The Climate Change Committee, who advise the UK Government on climate, has cautioned that the UK has lost its position as a global leader on climate, and that policy development and implementation continues to be too slow. We’re appealing to all candidates to champion the greatest challenge of our times and show the leadership that people want to see – they must put restoring nature at the heart of their campaigns.”

The new poll also asked people to identify environmental priorities for the next government. The top five were:

1. Ensuring nature is properly protected in our seas (50%)
2. Halving pollution in rivers from sewage and farming by 2030 (45%)
3. Upgrading the energy efficiency of homes to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions (38%)
4. Helping farmers reduce emissions and adapt to climate change by embedding adaptation into farm payment schemes (37%)
5. Providing more money to support nature-friendly farming (37%)

Kent Wildlife Trust is calling on all political parties to commit to halting and reversing the loss and have launched their #VoteWild manifesto which encourages people to vote with nature in mind with the WILD acronym:

• W – Wildlife is prioritised.
• I – Incentives for nature friendly farming.
• L – Land, rivers and seas are pollution free.
• D – Developments that defend and restore nature, not destroy it.

Head of Advocacy for Kent Wildlife Trust, Charlotte Lewis says: “This election is crucial in terms of creating a better future for us all, reaching net zero and ensuring we have a country that can sustain us in the long term.

“It is so important that people have the confidence to vote and have their say, we have a wealth of election focused information, letters and other materials available to download and people can also subscribe to our speak up for nature newsletter.

“This is not about telling people who to vote for, it is about giving people the information they need to ask the right questions so they can vote with confidence for a better future. In the midst of a climate and nature crisis every vote matters!”

There are just over five years until 2030 when the UK Government will be legally obliged under the Environment Act to have halted species decline – but trends are currently moving in the opposite direction.

On Monday 17th June, The Wildlife Trusts are filming The Big Nature & Climate Debate before a live audience. It will be broadcast via YouTube at 7pm on Tuesday 18th June. It will provide a unique opportunity for voters to compare parties’ plans to achieve legally binding nature targets and utilise nature’s recovery to achieve net zero commitments.

On Thursday 20th June, Kent Wildlife Trust is hosting climate hustings with Sevenoaks Climate Action Network.

On Saturday 22nd June, Kent Wildlife Trust will be at the Restore Nature Now rally in London to call on UK politicians to show strong domestic and global nature and climate leadership.

If anyone wishes to partner to arrange a hustings event, email kwtadvocacy@kentwildlife.org.uk

• The Kent Wildlife Trust election hub can be found here.
• The Vote Wild manifesto can be found here.

Kent Wildlife Trust is asking people to take a Satisfaction Survey and rate prospective parliamentary candidates on the subject of nature and climate.