More than 40 per cent of Tory MPs believe climate change can be stopped without the UK reaching net zero emissions, sparking accusations that they do not understand the “basics of climate science”.
Polling has revealed a quarter of MPs surveyed believe the UK can tackle the climate crisis without hitting its net zero target of decarbonisation by 2050.
And almost half of politicians are out of touch with their constituents when it comes to support for onshore wind, with MPs believing voters are against wind farms despite separate polling indicating otherwise.
The survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), found almost nine out of 10 MPs (86 per cent) support the UK’s net zero target.
This included 80 per cent of Conservative and 92 per cent of Labour MPs.
But a quarter (26 per cent) of MPs overall believe it is possible to “stop climate change without reaching net zero”. Just under sixty per cent said that reaching zero emissions was “essential” to stopping climate change.
According to the data, this is the equivalent of zero per cent of Labour MPs compared with 44 per cent of those from the Tory benches.
Prof Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Cambridge Zero climate change unit, described it as “deeply troubling that any MP would have the basics of climate science so wrong”.
“The droughts, floods and heatwaves will only get worse unless we stop adding to the problem, by stopping putting more gases into the atmosphere,” she said. “You can’t argue against net zero if you want to stop climate change. It’s arguing for a poorer, less stable future.”
Peter Chalkley, Director of the ECIU, said: “Some of the current debate around net zero seems to deliberately divorce itself from climate change.
“The simple fact of the matter is climate change won’t be halted unless we collectively hit net zero emissions. The public is clear in its support for tackling climate change and the net zero target.”
Just over 100 MPs were surveyed between March and April as part of the research.
Almost half (47 per cent) said they believed their constituents would oppose a new onshore wind farm in their area, including two thirds (68 per cent) of Conservative and a third (30 per cent) of Labour MPs.
This indicated a contrast between what the public think and what those representing them believe they support. A parallel survey of just over 2000 British adults, carried out in April by YouGov, found 71 per cent of the public support new onshore wind farms in their local area.
Last year the Government committed to relax the planning rules, subject to consultation, for the new onshore wind development.
But recent reports have indicated Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could be poised to water down the plans to end what has been a ban on wind farm projects out of concern that erecting inland turbines could upset Tory voters.
The survey has indicated, however, that the majority of the party’s supporters do support onshore wind farms.
Of those who voted Conservative in the 2019 election, 63 per cent said they had a “favourable” view of onshore wind and 68 per cent said they would support new onshore wind in their area.
