A young cyclist passes through the barriers that form an LTN (Low Traffic Neighborhood), an … [+]
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The U.K. public back restrictions on car use in cities to tackle the climate crisis, reports a large scale analysis of policy preferences. However, this support dropped when people were asked if they also favored congestion pricing, found The Climate Consensus, a joint report from WWF and the Demos thinktank.
A representative sample of 22,000 people used an online calculator to choose their favored mix of climate-friendly policies. Restricting car use in cities and introducing a speed limit of 60mph on motorways was supported by 82% of the survey respondents.
The analysis was funded by the National Grid and ScottishPower.
The Climate Consensus report
Demos/WWF
91% of the respondents want to see the installation of a electric vehicle charging network, and just two percent less were also in favor of increasing flying costs through taxation, especially for frequent fliers.
“The UK government must listen to the public and urgently set out a strategy that will provide a greener, stronger and better future for us all,” said Demos CEO Polly Mackenzie.
The Climate Consensus asked participants to choose their favored policies by using the sliding scale of a climate calculator.
55% of survey respondents want increased investment in public transit and would to see the “kind of cycle lane network that exists in some other countries.”
As well as greener transport policies, the public also want grants for heat pumps and home insulation, and support from government, supermarkets and food companies to help cut meat and dairy consumption by 10%.
“[The] public are prepared to make compromises and investments to tackle climate change,” the report said.
