Renewables

Tracker data: Favourability towards wind and solar among MPs and the public

22 November 2023

Climate Barometer tracker data across three waves (October 2022 – October 2023) shows high levels of MP support for solar and offshore wind energy. MPs have very high levels of support for offshore wind, but typically have less favourable attitudes towards onshore wind than the public (though this gap may be starting to close).

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The latest from the Renewables timeline:

Climate Barometer Tracker 17th July 2025

Tracker data: MPs and the public continue to underestimate local backing for wind, solar and pylons

More than 3 in 5 Brits support local renewable energy infrastructure projects, but neither MPs nor the public realise how strong that support is, new Climate Barometer polling shows.

There is high in-principle support for a new onshore wind farm (69%), a new solar energy park (73%), and new pylons and power lines for carrying renewable energy (60%), even as those are proposed to be built in people’s local area.

Whilst support for these renewable energy infrastructure projects has remained largely stable since 2022/2023, perception gaps both from the public when it comes to other people in their area and MPs in terms of their constituents do not seem to have reduced over time.

Moreover, across each renewable project polled, MPs are even more likely to overestimate local opposition than the general public, suggesting that community views are not adequately represented in local discussions.

Commentary & Analysis 10th November 2024

If Labour wants to move fast and build things, it’s time to stop the name calling

Taking on the NIMBYs. Beating the blockers. The end goal is commendable, but is this how UK voters would like to be described?

(This commentary has been adapted from a published opinion article in Politics.co.uk)

Read the full piece If Labour wants to move fast and build things, it’s time to stop the name calling

Wider Context 25th July 2024

Labour’s plans for Great British Energy brought to parliament

The new Labour government has brought its plans for a publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy, to parliament.

The Great British Energy Bill was formally introduced to the House of Commons on the 25th of July, and the bill is expected to pass through its second stage in early September.

Following a long-standing commitment to base the energy company in Scotland, Labour have since announced GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen.

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