Support for Net Zero and EV measures falls as climate scepticism rises in UK
YouGov analysis for The Times finds less than a third of voters back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars, while political and weather pressures reshape the debate
Britons' support for key Net Zero measures has weakened as economic pressures and political debate have reshaped public attitudes, according to new polling.
Analysis by YouGov for The Times published on Sept. 10, 2025, found that fewer than one in three voters back a proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars intended to accelerate a shift to electric vehicles. The poll also found a marked fall in the share of people willing to accept personal or household sacrifices to tackle climate change: the proportion prepared to pay higher domestic bills has halved since 2021, and fewer respondents said they would be willing to pay higher taxes, cut back on meat and dairy, or reduce air travel.
The YouGov analysis showed a rise of more than 50% in the share of respondents saying the threat from climate change had been exaggerated, though 61% still said the threat had not been overblown. Cardiff University environmental psychologist Professor Wouter Poortinga told The Times that climate change was becoming politicised in the UK in ways similar to the United States, and cited rhetoric from some Conservative figures as contributing to polarisation.
The public polling comes as the government and opposition wrestle with the practical and political implications of the transition. The government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol or diesel cars and vans from 2030, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer in April announced that new non-plug-in hybrid models would be allowed to remain on sale until 2035. Rules under the UK’s zero emission vehicle (Zev) mandate require a rising share of new cars sold by each manufacturer to be zero emission; ministers set a target of at least 28% this year, while industry-wide sales of zero-emission cars were 21.6% in the first half of 2025.
Officials have also adjusted the Zev mandate to give manufacturers more flexibility in meeting targets and to reduce the likelihood of fines for noncompliance, measures that business groups said would ease pressures on supply chains and sales. Insiders in both parties have argued that concerns about the impact of green measures on growth are influencing policy choices amid sluggish economic indicators and voter concern.
Labour personnel moves reported this week highlighted the political sensitivity of Net Zero. Media reports said Prime Minister Starmer attempted to reassign Energy Secretary Ed Miliband away from the government's Net Zero brief during a reshuffle, but that Miliband declined and chose to retain responsibility for the climate portfolio.
Weather and water conditions are adding urgency to the environmental conversation. The Met Office and the Environment Agency said this week that drought conditions in parts of the UK could persist into winter, despite a higher-than-average chance of a wetter and windier September to November. They warned that autumn rainfall may not fully reverse the effects of record-breaking hot and dry weather earlier in 2025, which prompted drought declarations and local restrictions such as hosepipe bans in several regions. The agencies also cautioned that flood risks could rise as the UK's storm season begins.
Business groups and some politicians have urged a cautious approach to further regulation as firms contend with supply-chain transitions and consumer cost pressures. At the same time, environmental organisations and climate scientists say meeting statutory climate goals will require continued policy effort and investment in low-carbon infrastructure.
The polling suggests the political calculus around Net Zero is changing: while a majority continue to recognise climate risks, fewer appear willing to accept personal costs in the current economic context. How that shift will influence policy settings on vehicle electrification, energy and planning remains a central question for ministers and Parliament as they balance decarbonisation targets, industry readiness and public support.
Policymakers from across the spectrum have cited the need to align climate commitments with economic growth and public consent, and officials say monitoring public attitudes will inform upcoming policy reviews and consultations. The Met Office and Environment Agency said they will continue to update their outlooks and guidance as autumn and winter weather patterns develop.