Archives: climate change

Climate Change Poll

September 20, 2010

UMR conducted a poll of 503 respondents in July and August on climate change issues, for the Greenhouse Policy Coalition:

  • 36% say the climate change issues is a serious or very serious concern (-7% from 43% in 2009)
  • 25% say NZ should reduce emissions, even if it reduces standard of living (-10%)
  • 58% say NZ should take part in an agreed international emissions scheme even if it costs every NZer $50 a year (-6%)
  • 18% say NZ should reduce emissions even if it costs jobs (-6%)
  • 45% agree controlling emissions is about saving the planet and should ot quibble over money (-11%)
  • 66% agree NZ should switch to more sustainable technologies, even if there is a cost to doing so (-13%)
  • On a 0 to 10 scale for fairness of putting a price on carbon emissions, 51% rate it 5 or higher (-6%)
  • 34% say they are informed about the ETS (+5%)
  • 46% say that climate change is a problem and is caused by human activity (+2%)
  • 33% say that climate change is a problem but there is no clear proof it is caused by human activity (-3%)
  • 19% say that climate change is not a problem (+1%)

ETS Poll

July 13, 2010

ResearchNZ polled 501 people from 22 June to 30 June on the Emissions Trading Scheme:

  • 58% said they do not understand the ETS well, 16% said they did and 24% were in the middle
  • 49% said they are in favour of the ETS, with 44% disagreeing
  • If costs increase for consumers then only 37% in favour and 63% against
  • 57% say NZ should lead by example when it comes to reducing emissions and 38% say wait and see what other countries do

ShapeNZ Emissions Trading Poll

September 15, 2008

Polling Company: ShapeNZ (part of New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development)

Poll Method: Internet Sample (not fully random)

Poll Size: 2,204 (2.1% margin of error)

Date: to to 11 September 2008

Client: NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development

Report: NZBCSD Media Release

References: NZ Herald

  • 25% says climate change is an urgent problem, 51% say a problem now , 9% a problem for later and 13% not a problem.
  • 25% say NZ’s response to climate change has been too quick, 39% about right and 33% too slow.
  • 39% support an ETS and 29% do not.
  • Only 10% say they are well informed on the ETS with 46% somewhat informed, 28% somewhat uninformed and 13% uninformed.

Polling Company: ShapeNZ (part of New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development)

Poll Method: Internet Sample

Poll Size: 3,546

Date: February and March 2008

Client: NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development

Report: NZBCSD Media Release

References: Dominion Post

  • 77% say wind power was the best (they must mean desirable not best based on results not adding up to 100%) electricity option for New Zealand in the next 10 years.
  • 69% say solar
  • 47% say geothermal
  • 40% say wave power
  • 35% say small and large scale hydro
  • 19% say nuclear power
  • 10% say gas
  • 8% say coal
  • A proposed ban on building new thermal baseload coal and gas power plants in the next 10 years has 58% support and 26% opposition
  • 70% say NZ not doing enough to encourage renewable energy projects
  • 43% oppose trading in nuclear sourced emission credits, 33% support and 24% do not know
  • 5% say wind farms do not look okay, 48% say they like how they look and 44% say it depends on where they are located
  • Government’s performance on climate change ranked as below average by 36%, average by 21% and above average by 17%.
  • Asked which major party is best favoured to manage climate change, both Labour and National had 32% support, with 36% unsure
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