The YouGov poll, commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) and Climate Barometer, shows 84% of MPs back the legal target to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
But only two-thirds understand that cutting emissions to net zero is essential to stop climate change – a basic conclusion of global scientific bodies.
Just 10% of MPs think reaching net zero isn’t necessary to halt climate change, yet a striking 24% either don’t believe it is essential or aren’t sure.
Among Conservative MPs, confusion is even more marked. Fewer than half (40%) support the target, despite it being introduced by a Conservative Prime Minister and backed by successive party leaders.
The current Conservative leadership has walked back its commitment, with polling showing 39% of Tory MPs now agreeing the 2050 target is “impossible”. Nearly a third said they disagreed or weren’t sure what to think.
Alasdair Johnstone, Political and Polling Lead at ECIU, said: “There’s still confusion among MPs over the fact that reaching net zero is essential for the world to stop climate change.”
The polling also suggests a major disconnect between MPs and the public on energy infrastructure.
While most MPs thought their constituents would oppose onshore wind or new solar farms, national polling shows the opposite – nearly 70% of people support onshore wind and more than 70% back solar.
Despite this, 40% of Conservative MPs said they would support a fracking site in their own constituencies, even though three-quarters believed their voters would be against it
