We are excited to share the Net Zero Citizens’ Survey. This survey was undertaken by academics in the ACCESS Network at the Universities of Exeter and Bath, with data collected in July 2024, just before the UK general election. It is part of the larger project addressing how best to facilitate a transition to a ‘net zero society’: Making a Net Zero Society: Follow the Social Science (see below).
The survey complements the work of the ACCESS Net Zero Task Force by exploring key aspects of the transition to a net zero society from the perspective of the UK’s general public. It aimed to understand public views about climate change, net zero targets and climate action, as well as views about how policy should be made, and support for different types of policy.
The report presents findings for the UK as a whole and also compares public opinion across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Some of the highlights from the Net Zero Citizens Survey and Taskforce are discussed in this piece in The Conversation, written by ACCESS academics Professor Karen Bickerstaff, Professor Alice Moseley and Professor Patrick Devine-Wright (University of Exeter).
Concern about the climate is widespread among the UK public and a slim majority are supportive of net zero targets. The public recognise the scale of challenges surrounding net zero and there is some scepticism about the likelihood of achieving targets. There is also division about the timing of climate action in relation to economic conditions.
Knowledge, research and expertise have a key role to play in creating effective climate policy. The public particularly value the involvement of independent and governmental experts, alongside national and local political leaders and representatives of affected communities, and support the use of diverse research evidence from natural, engineering and social sciences to understand how the UK can reduce emissions.
Public engagement and building on public momentum are essential. At the individual level, members of the public do not feel they have a lot of say in developing climate policy. Yet, many are making changes to their own daily lives, helping reduce demand for high carbon activities, products and services. A public engagement campaign and supportive policies are essential to sustain and increase this momentum, and to address public concerns and impediments to change.
Making a Net Zero Society: Follow the Social Science is an ACCESS Task Force Report which identifies key steps and recommendations to support the delivery of the Net Zero 2030 policy target, and highlights the need to take a fresh approach to understand, plan and deliver the social and cultural change that will be needed to reach net zero targets.
In the report by the ESRC-funded ACCESS network, 10 leading academics offer their analysis of the recent UK Net Zero Research and Innovation Framework, Delivery Plan and Net Zero Society: Scenarios and Pathways Report. They go on to present selected case studies of past and ongoing societal change and transition, that offer lessons for net zero policy.
This work has also been supported by Karen Bickerstaff’s Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship – Remaking Carbon Societies.
Full report
The Economic and Social Research Council-funded ACCESS network drew together an independent task force of experts to consider the role of social science in UK net zero policy. The task force, which ran for one year between 2023-2024, reviewed a range of social science perspectives, analysed examples of government net zero plans and built understanding from case studies of societal change.
We now call upon government to make more consistent and effective use of social science in delivering UK net zero ambitions. Our work shows the huge opportunities, and wide range of benefits, that can be delivered through sustained action to reduce demand for energy. To achieve net zero we need actors from across society to be engaged. Actors that work at the mid-level, between scales, silos and sectors, are especially important. Engaging citizens in meaningful debate about change and generating positive visions of a net zero future will also be essential.
We recommend that government establish a Net Zero Social Science Advisory Committee in the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.
Three members of the Net Zero Task Force delivered a Lunch and Learn session for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority in May 2025.
Ian Christie (ACCESS Co-Investigator, Centre for Environment & Sustainability (CES), University of Surrey) spoke about ‘Local Climate Governance: messy realities and missing links’
Alice Moseley (ACCESS Leadership Team, University of Exeter) presented on ‘Key ACCESS Net Zero Survey Findings – implications for local authorities’
And Lorraine Whitmarsh (ACCESS Leadership Team and Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), University of Bath) delivered an ‘Introduction to CAST, public engagement & behaviour change’
Watch their webinar here:
The Task Force brought together an interdisciplinary group of environmental social scientists to highlight how UK social science expertise can be more effectively deployed to support a rapid societal transition to net zero. The task force ran between April 2023 and March 2024.
Lead author Professor Karen Bickerstaff, from the University of Exeter, says: “This research report provides a clear evidence base for fuller representation of the social sciences within the expert groups advising government on net zero. Technology is really important but cannot, in isolation, achieve the deep decarbonisation required; social dynamics and processes must be an equal focus of government initiatives. There is great potential to reduce energy demand, but this requires meaningful public debate about the benefits and challenges involved.”
Co-author Gordon Walker, Emeritus Professor, at the Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University makes clear that, ‘Following the science on climate change has long been crucial, but on its own doesn’t make change happen. The social sciences have an enormous amount to contribute to finding effective and practical routes to net zero across society. There are key principles to follow – working closely with communities, being inclusive, reducing energy dependency, maximising co-benefits – and much insight that social scientists can contribute to diagnosing the successes and failures of policy action’.
Co-author Professor Simone Abram, Executive Director of Durham Energy Institute, Durham University adds “There is mature and extensive social science evidence on clean energy. Government and industry must understand social science insights to avoid repeating the same mistakes and ensure everyone can participate in the energy transition.”
Co-author Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh said “The report highlights that people can be agents of change in many different ways, and that governments need to provide opportunities to tap into this ‘people power’ to accelerate progress on net zero. This more people-led approach also offers wider benefits to wellbeing, inclusion, and prosperity than just focusing on energy supply or technologies alone.”
Co-author and Director of ACCESS, Professor Patrick Devine-Wright from the University of Exeter, is keen to highlight, “The report’s final recommendation is that the UK and devolved governments include more social science expertise in science advisory committees looking at net zero. One way to do this would be to establish a Net Zero Social Science Advisory Committee within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Co-Director of ACCESS, Professor Birgitta Gatersleben from the University of Surrey concludes “This team of experts clearly shows how social science is essential to guarantee the social transformation needed to achieve net zero targets.”
Professor Julie MacArthur, Canada Research Chair in Reimagining Capitalism, Royal Roads University, endorses the report, as “an important change from a business-as-usual focus in net-zero policy on technocentrism. It reflects the fact that transitions are as much socio-political – reflecting diverse values, cultures and interests – as they are technological. Two important ways this is represented in the report are: i) how contestation is framed as a necessary, important and expected part of transitions, rather than an unwelcome surprise and ii) the focus on ‘mid-level’ actors at the municipal and community level.”