Climate change

Charts from previous years

• Potential federal government policies on climate change

  In 2025, 82% of Australians said they would support providing subsidies for the development of renewable energy technologies.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2021

  
• Australian renewable energy target

  In 2024, 41% said Australia’s target to transition to renewable energy was about right.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2024

  
• Energy policy priorities

  In 2024, 48% of Australians said the main priority should be reducing household energy bills.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2024
  • 2021
  • 2019

  
• Labor government report card

  In 2024, respondents gave an average rating of 6.6 for maintaining a strong alliance with the United States.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2024
  • 2023

  
• Nuclear energy

  In 2024, 34% said they somewhat support Australia using nuclear power to generate electricity, alongside other sources of energy.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2024

  
• Foreign aid to the Pacific

  In 2023, 92% were in favour of Australia providing aid for disaster relief.

  Theme Australia and the Pacific | Asked in

  • 2023
  • 2022

  
• Australia’s approach to international climate change negotiations

  In 2021, 70% said Australia should join other countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, to increase its commitments to address climate change.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Australia’s reputation overseas

  In 2021, 75% said positive when asked about Australia’s diplomatic service.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Climate change efforts by country

  In 2021, 82% of Australians said too little in their effort to combat climate change.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Costs and benefits of climate change action

  In 2021, 74% of Australians said the benefits of taking further action on climate change will outweigh the costs.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Views of China

  In 2021, 93% of Australians said negative influence when asked about China’s military activities in our region.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2021
  • 2016

  
• Australia’s climate policies and reputation

  In 2020, 31% said Australia’s approach to climate change had had a somewhat negative effect on its relationship with Pacific Islands countries.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2020

  
• Attitudes to immigration

  In 2019, 71% disagreed Australian cities are already too crowded.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2019
  • 2016

  
• Renewables and energy supply

  In 2018, 84% of Australians said the government should focus on renewables, even if we need to invest more in infrastructure to make the system more reliable.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2018
  • 2017

  
• Attitudes to fossil fuels

  In 2016, 88% said agree when asked about the use of fossil fuels is in decline around the world and Australia should invest more in alternative energy sources or risk being left behind.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Direct action or emissions trading scheme

  In 2016, 53% of Australians said continue the Governments Direct Action plan which pays businesses for emissions reduction projects.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2016
  • 2015

  
• Important issues facing Australia

  In 2016, 88% of Australians said a very important issue when asked about education.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Australia’s approach to multilateral climate negotiations

  In 2015, 63% of Australians said should commit to significant emissions reductions to encourage other countries.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Future sources of electricity

  In 2015, 43% of Australians said solar energy.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Leadership or consensus role on climate action

  In 2014, 63% of Australians said it should be taking a leadership role on reducing emissions.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Reasons for reducing immigration

  In 2014, 88% of Australians said major reason when asked about we should train our own skilled people, not take them from other countries.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Emissions Trading Scheme legislation

  In 2013, 41% of Australians said strongly against.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2012

  
• Removal of Emissions Trading Scheme

  In 2013, 37% of Australians said strongly in favour.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2012

  
• Concern about climate change

  In 2012, 55% of Australians said not changed at all.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Exporting uranium to India

  In 2012, 39% of Australians said strongly against.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Reasons for opposing an emissions trading scheme

  In 2012, 83% of Australians said agree when asked about it will result in job losses.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Federal government’s efforts on climate change

  In 2011, 39% of Australians said very poor.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2011

  
• Goals of Australian foreign policy

  In 2011, 81% said very important when asked about protecting the jobs of Australian workers.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • and 2 more

  
• Willingness to pay for climate solutions

  In 2011, 42% of Australians said 0.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2008

  
• Reduction of emissions ahead of global agreement

  In 2010, 44% of Australians said strongly agree.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Likelihood of solving climate change

  In 2009, 57% of Australians said there has been no change.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Problem of climate change

  In 2009, 76% of Australians said a problem.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Urgency of climate change

  In 2009, 60% of Australians said more urgent.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Effectiveness of Kyoto Protocol

  In 2008, 64% said Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol has not solved the problem of climate change but helpful.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Government’s ability to deal with global warming

  In 2008, 42% of Australians said confident.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Uranium exports and nuclear waste

  In 2008, 32% said strongly disagree when asked about take responsibility for the nuclear waste from the uranium it exports by storing it in Australia.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Uranium exports to signatories of the Non-proliferation Treaty

  In 2008, 53% of Australians said strongly agree when asked about only export uranium to countries which have signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Alternative energy options

  In 2007, 65% of Australians said very convincing when asked about renewable energy like wind, solar and geothermal.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2007

  
• Importance of climate change goals for Australia

  In 2007, 31% of Australians said improving the delivery of healthcare when asked about second priority.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2007

  
• Outlook for Australia’s international security

  In 2007, 48% of Australians said optimistic.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2007
  • 2005

  
• Worry about threats

  In 2007, 55% of Australians said very worried when asked about climate change.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2007
  • 2005

  
• Effect of globalisation

  In 2005, 66% of Australians said mostly good when asked about your standard of living.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2005