This report provides an insight into Australians’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, climate change and Australia’s current and proposed climate policies. It shows that Australians are not only concerned about the climate crisis, they feel negative about the future in the context of climate change and that their government is not doing enough about it. This is especially true of younger Australians.

The report brings into focus not just how Australians feel about climate change, but also what they expect their leaders to do in response to it. This year’s survey shows that, while Australians continue to be underwhelmed by a lack of tangible action by the Australian Government to prevent and adapt to the worst impacts of climate change, they have not abandoned the expectation that government policies should protect the community, not industry profits.

Key findings

• 50% of Australians think the Australian Government is not doing enough to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• 70% of Australians support implementing some form of polluterpays mechanism in Australia to make industry more accountable for its environmental impact.
• 70% say gas companies should have to pay royalties on the gas they extract and sell.
• 52% of Australians oppose subsidies for the expansion of the coal, oil and gas industries.