“In the years to come,the only great powers will be green powers,” Mr Johnson said.
Theexclusive survey,conducted forThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age by research company Resolve Strategic,shows the national support has risen to 60 per cent from 55 per cent in a similar survey in June.
Only 13 per cent of voters oppose net zero by 2050 and they reflect a minority view on both sides of politics,with 14 per cent of Coalition voters and 9 per cent of Labor voters against the goal.
Support for the 2050 target was 52 per cent among Coalition voters in the Resolve survey in June but rose to 57 per cent in the responses last week.
In a sign that the issue could help sway the next federal election,the 2050 target was backed by 56 per cent of voters in marginal electorates.
While Mr Morrison’s stated policy is to reach net zero “preferably” by 2050,he is seeking to navigate new targets through a divided Coalition party room with significant voices who oppose stronger action,including Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and some conservative Liberals.
National leaders are being asked to make stronger commitments for 2030 targets at the Glasgow summit,but Mr Morrison is yet to reveal his proposal,even though he says Australia is on track to “meet and beat” its formal pledge,made six years ago,to cut emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by that year.
Federal Liberal MPs including Dave Sharma,Katie Allen,Andrew Bragg,Trent Zimmerman and others are calling for deeper cuts by 2030,a stance that has majority support in the community.
Asked if they supported or opposed a higher target for that year,43 per cent of Coalition voters backed the goal while 64 per cent of Labor voters did the same.
Only 19 per cent of Coalition voters and 9 per cent of Labor voters opposed a higher target for 2030.
Questions about coal reveal greater division,however,as UN Assistant Secretary-General Selwin Hartcalls on wealthy nations to stop using coal-fired power by 2030.
The Resolve survey found 49 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that “Australia should phase out all its remaining coal-fired power stations by 2030” but another 19 per cent opposed this idea,while 32 per cent were undecided.
Asked about phasing out coal-fired power more slowly than this,only 35 per cent backed the longer transition and 27 per cent opposed it,while 38 per cent were undecided.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has called for an end to Australian coal exports by 2030 but this did not gain majority support in the Resolve survey,with 40 per cent in favour and 25 per cent against and the remainder undecided.
‘In the years to come,the only great powers will be green powers.’
British PM Boris Johnson
On this question,again,people expressed less support for a slower transition. Only 33 per cent agreed with phasing out exports more slowly than the 2030 deadline,while 27 per cent were against and 39 per cent were undecided.
The survey found stronger support for a statement that put no timeframe on the change,saying:“Australia should keep mining and exporting coal while there is international demand.”
On this,44 per cent agreed and 23 per cent disagreed,with 33 per cent undecided.
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Labor leader Anthony Albanese has supported the case to continue coal exports and Mr Morrison has done the same,although he has acknowledged demand will change over time.
“We will keep mining the resources that we’re able to sell on the world market,” the Prime Minister said on September 9.
Asked about the use of nuclear power in Australia,16 per cent said they actively supported it and 35 per cent said it was acceptable. Another 29 per cent were opposed and 20 per cent undecided.
The polling period,including the question about nuclear power,coincided with Mr Morrison’s announcement aboutbuilding nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. Some respondents were asked questions before that announcement on Thursday morning and some were asked in the days afterwards.
The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1606 people during the period from September 15 to 19 to produce findings with a margin of error of 2.5 per cent. Read the full questions and see the full results on climate,coal and nuclearhere.
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