Europe Has Been Going Cold on Net Zero

The most preposterous policy idea in history is running out of steam as voters feel the costs

By Joseph C. Sternberg. Excerpts:

"A growing body of opinion polling and mounting anecdotal political evidence augur the collapse of this project—and sooner rather than later."

"Some 39% of Britons either believe concerns about climate change have been exaggerated or don’t know"

"The proportion saying they definitely believe the climate threat is exaggerated (25%) has increased from 16% in 2021"

"Climate has fallen far down the list of voters’ priorities in Britain, and pretty much everywhere else in Europe. In Germany, long a net-zero bastion, polling before February’s election found only 25% of voters ranked climate among their three most important issues. Subsequent polling found that 41% of respondents believe Germany should do more about climate change, down from 55% only two years ago."

"his administration [Starmer] has steadily scaled back various net-zero commitments and sidelined Climate Minister Ed Miliband."

"The proportion willing to pay more for international air travel to combat climate change has fallen to 48% from 57% in 2021"

"The proportion willing to pay more for auto fuel has fallen to 26% from 36%"

"The Times finds that only 23% of its poll respondents believe climate policy will create jobs, and more people believe climate policies will have a negative effect on the economy (30%) than a positive effect (25%)."