Most people think it unlikely thatAustralia will reach net zero emissions by 2050, despite state and federal policy, new survey data from Essential Media shows.
October’s survey data shows strong support among respondents for renewables development but concern about upgrades to the electricity grid.
Meanwhile, half the respondents say they’re open to the development of a nuclear industry.
Aussies recognise need for renewables
Closer analysis of October’s survey results show 60% of respondents think Australia needs to rapidly develop renewables.
But half the overall respondents say they don’t have much trust in the government to lead the energy transition to renewables – whether that’s the same half who are open to nuclear power is unclear.
Conversely, more than 40% say they have a fair amount of trust in the government to transition towards renewables.
Uncertainty over above-ground transmission lines
Of five types of renewable energy infrastructure listed, solar farms have the strongest support, with nearly 70% of respondents in favour.
More than half overall say they support onshore and offshore wind farms and community battery storage.
Overground transmission lines are the most contentious renewable energy projects, with more than a quarter of respondents saying they strongly oppose them.
But nearly 40% say they neither support nor oppose them, suggesting Aussies are still focused more on generation and storage than transmission.
The list doesn’t include other so-called ‘clean’ energy options such as hydro electricity.
Majority dissatisfied with gov’t environmental protection
Overall, more than half of respondents say they think it’s not that likely, or not likely at all, that Australia will reach ‘net zero emissions’ by 2050 – compared to less than a third thinking it likely and 11% unsure.
In related data, more than half of respondents also say they don’t think the government is doing enough to preserve endangered species; oceans and rivers; or native forests.
The full report is available here.
If they persist with this nett zero garbage we will be living in tents and caves fighting each other for food. Happy days ahead.
And if they don’t your tent will burn if it’s above flood reach & storm surge heights.
But you’re right about fighting each other for food…. with the failure of most our current food plants & animals under extreme weather
Greg we’ve hardly made any progress towards net zero yet. Business as usual is untenable
Nuclear will never happen in Australia.
Professors Green and Blakers, in an article in AFR Newspaper 14/10/23 – ‘Nuclear no match for cheap solar, experts say’, outlined it all.
Professor Green described nuclear as, “pie in the sky” – including small modular reactor technologies.
Net Zero 2050, it is laughable that we would seriously entertain that is the target date.
Read up a piece from techXplore.com – ‘Net zero by 2050? Too late. Australia must aim for 2035 say researchers, by Mark Howden, Frank Jotzo, Ken Baldwin, Kylie Catchpole, Kylie Walker and Lachlan Blackhall, The Conversation, September 21, 2023
And whilst ever the reckless and dangerous LabLibNat FF Cartel keep themselves busy opening up New Fossil Fuel Adventures – special mention for Minister Tanya and her 5 NEW coal and gas approvals this year – we / Australia are a hoax when it comes to being serious about reducing GHG emissions. But that’s what you get when Lab and LibNat are bought off by $’shundredsofthousands Fossil Fuel Industry ‘political donations’.
Do people realise that “net Zero ” is a total con, achievable by buying totally dubious ‘carbon offsets’ .
If “net Zero ” is accomplished, it will do nothing to reverse this shit-storm of global warming that will kill the planet.
Cheers, G”)
Well who would have guessed? Anyone that believes it’s achievable is demented, it is and always will be impossible. Just one point, there is not enough copper in the world to supply transmission lines, it’s scarcety is reflected in the current price which is predicted to blow out 75% in the future. Sorry to rain on you protest but you will one day realise you are snookered. Ken, give me an example of your planet killing warming in the Byron Shire, really?. The place hasn’t changed in living memory, but don’t let your misguided alarmism get in the way of a good exaggeration.