A recent Age/Nielson poll found that the majority of Australians are willing to dig a little deeper when paying for goods and services, if they feel their actions are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There appears to be wide ranging support for the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme as well. Following the release of the Government’s Green Paper, 54 percent of the national poll of 1400 people said they were satisfied with the Rudd Government’s handling of the climate change issue, 68 percent said they were willing to bear the costs associated with climate change action and 77 percent believe that Australia must act regardless of what the rest of the world does.

Poll results found that individuals who support the introduction of an emissions trading scheme are found predominantly amongst those that have a greater understanding of how the scheme works, and the least amount of support amongst those who do not understand it at all. The Federal Government has launched an advertising campaign to support the scheme’s introduction and create awareness and inform the public on why they are acting. With this first round of advertising aired on Sunday the 20th of July on television, the internet and radio with newspaper ads appearing on the 21st, the Government also plans to release a second campaign in September, once their proposed advertisements gain independent approval. In the meantime it would appear that the majority of Australians support the Rudd Government’s decision to use market instruments in tackling climate change.

Other results from the Poll:

• 39% understood emissions trading
• 39% ‘slightly’ understood emissions trading
• 21% do not understand it at all
• 19% thought Australia should only reduce emissions if other countries did as well
• 3% thought Australia should not cut emissions

References

• Grattan, M. ‘Big tick for emissions cuts,’ The Age, July 21, 2008
• Crowe, D. ‘Big sell to focus on environment,’ Australian Financial Review, July 22, 2008