26 June 2024

Press Release

For immediate release

WWF urges parties to commit to action on nature and climate backed by public ahead of final leaders’ debate

Politicians ‘AWOL on the environment’, says WWF chief executive.
WWF marched alongside 60,000 people in London on Saturday calling for the next UK Government to pay attention to the last great opportunity to protect people and nature, while the climate movement appears forgotten in this election campaign.
Majority of voters (80%) say they care about nature and climate issues ahead of the General Election. Less than half (45%) think politicians are equally concerned.
Almost as many are worried about pollution and damage to the countryside (82%) as war and conflict (84%).

WWF is urging political parties seeking to form the next government to commit to taking action on nature and climate change ahead of tonight’s final leaders debate before the general election.

Polling data from WWF shows broad public support for a range of environmental measures including:

Requiring big business that pollute the environment to pay into a fund to help restore nature that is damaged (80%)
Seeking to tackle high energy bills by investing in renewable energy infrastructure (78%)
Implementing legislation to end the UK’s contribution to deforestation and land degradation globally (66%)
Supporting farmers to cut their emissions and restore nature (72%)

The research, conducted by More in Common for WWF, also reveals that four out of five UK adults (80%) care about issues relating to climate, nature, and the environment. However, only 45% believe that politicians share their level of concern.

The findings also highlight that nearly as many people are worried about pollution and damage to the countryside and nature (82%) as those concerned about conflict and war (84%).

The poll underscores the urgent need for the next government to align with public sentiment and take decisive steps to protect the environment for future generations.

With the election campaign in its final days, WWF is concerned that we’ve heard little from our potential future leaders on climate and nature.

This despite environmental concern spanning across all ages, with the over-65s being particularly worried about pollution and damage to the countryside and nature.

A significant majority of people (74%) also expressed concern about the impact of climate change on the world young people will inherit.

On Saturday (22 June) WWF joined more than 60,000 people from all over the country and over 300 grassroots groups, charities and NGOs in London to march side by side in a united plea for political action as part of the Restore Nature Now demonstration.

The march sent a powerful message to political leaders to prioritise climate and nature in their final campaign efforts, reflecting the public’s demand for environmental action.

From puffins to bluebells, bumblebees to mountain hares, UK wildlife is under threat from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.

Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF, said:

"Our polling shows the environment is clearly a key issue for the public and they deserve to hear what the next government plans to do to restore nature and meet our climate targets.

"Unfortunately, politicians have largely gone AWOL on the environment during this campaign but the next five years will be absolutely vital in bringing nature back from the brink both at home and around the world.

"As the campaign enters the final straight, we’re calling on all parties to commit to action on nature and climate that’s hugely popular with the public.”

WWF’s nationwide petition is calling on all political leaders to stop fuelling the destruction of nature. Ahead of the election on 4 July, support for the petition has gathered pace with more than 61,000 signatures so far.

Ends

Notes to editors:  

More in Common polled 2,369 people, representative of the GB population, between 14-17 June 2024. 

More in Common is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by their rules. 

Full data tables for any published results can be found at https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/our-work/polling-tables/. 