Coronavirus: Two-thirds say tackling COVID-19 is more important than climate change - poll
The YouGov survey found 67% thought the government's priority should be coronavirus, compared to 15% that said climate change.
Thursday 10 September 2020 18:16, UK
Two-thirds of Britons believe tackling coronavirus is more important than addressing climate change, according to a poll exclusively carried out for Sky News.
The YouGov survey found 67% thought the government's priority should be coronavirus, compared to 15% that said the climate.
The rest said that neither were a priority or they were not sure.
Sky News is examining how Britain can reach the legally binding target of reducing its emissions to net zero by 2050 and how the economic recovery from COVID-19 can help tackle the climate emergency.
But our findings show just over a third of people have little faith in leaders across all the political spectrum, not just in Boris Johnson whose mantra has been to build back better and build back green.
When we asked who people thought cared the most - out of Mr Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon and Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats - 35% said 'none of them'.
Lockdown has enabled some to feel closer to nature and think more about the importance of rescuing a warming planet.
It also shows how quickly habits can change.
The poll shows support for people working from home not only as a safety measure against coronavirus but also as a way to reduce emissions.
It was the most popular policy to aid a green recovery - with 64% in favour, versus 20% who were opposed.
People were asked to consider how individuals can best play a part in addressing the climate emergency, looking at how we live our lives.
The majority, 53%, opposed eating less meat compared to 33% who were in favour.
There is evidence that the more people learn about climate change, the more they feel compelled to act.
The Climate Assembly - a unique gathering of more than 100 people from all walks of life - spent weeks studying the climate and ways to get to net zero.
In conclusion, 79% said they thought the recovery from COVID-19 should be green.
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More people taking part in the Climate Assembly poll compared to the Sky News YouGov poll believe people taking more flights should be taxed further.