Britain’s renewables expansion backed by overwhelming majority of people
8 in 10 Brits would support the UK generating more energy by expanding the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure, including nearly two thirds (65%) of Reform supporters.
The new YouGov survey, commissioned by environmental justice organisation Friends of the Earth, also found broad public support for fair climate policies.
The new findings come with less than 100 days to go until the publication of the government’s revised climate plan, which must be bold, ambitious and fair, says the group.
New polling shows the breadth of public support for Britain seizing its full renewable power potential, with 80% of people saying they would support the UK generating more of its own homegrown energy through the expansion of the country’s clean energy infrastructure.
This includes support from nearly two thirds (65%) of Reform supporters, despite the party recently announcing that it would scrap energy companies’ renewables subsidies. Approval among Conservative supporters was also markedly high at 83%, suggesting that party leader Kemi Badenoch’s climbdown on the climate is out of step with her own party’s supporters.
The new findings from YouGov, commissioned by the environmental justice organisation Friends of the Earth, also found that there are high levels of public support where environmental policies strengthen British industry.
The survey revealed that 76% of Brits would support the renewable energy industry using more UK-made components. Interestingly, this received cross-party favour, with support across the Conservative, Green, Labour and Reform parties polling similarly at over 80%.
Expanding training and job opportunities in green industries - such as the offshore wind sector - and greater investment in UK manufacturing of wind turbines, were two policies also popular with the public, with 81% and 70% of people indicating their support respectively.
This suggests that the huge potential of Britain’s green economy, which grew 10% last year and supports nearly 1 million jobs, has cut through with the public – not wholly surprising given the state of the economy is a top concern for people in the UK. However recent moves to fracture the political consensus on the climate do not reflect the public mood.
There was also strong public support for further investment in UK steel manufacturing, with two-thirds of people backing it (67%), and notably 81% of Reform supporters who polled higher than any other party.
With the steel industry already moving to greener production methods, the UK has a prime opportunity to be at the forefront of the sector’s modernisation. But maintaining this support will rely on a proper plan for transitioning workers out of polluting jobs into the clean industries of the future, to ensure that no one gets left behind.
The importance of fairness when it comes to climate decision-making was something that came out strongly elsewhere in the polling too. 78% of people backed those responsible for pollution, such as fossil fuel companies, paying more to help fund environmental action.
There was also majority support for improving bus services (80%), government support to help low income households insulate their homes (77%), and measures requiring landlords to ensure rental homes meet minimum energy efficiency standards (84%).
The findings come after more than 50 leading businesses, unions and campaigning organisations wrote to the Prime Minister last month to mark 100 days until the government is due to publish its revised climate action plan. Spearheaded by Friends of the Earth and signed by The Co-operative Bank, British Medical Association, the Women’s Institute and unions representing over 1 million union workers, they urged Keir Starmer to seize the enormous economic opportunities that producing a bold, ambitious plan to tackle the climate emergency will bring.
Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said:
“The UK is already feeling the effects of climate change, that much is clear. Extended heatwaves, more intense storms and frequent flooding mean thousands across the country are already being impacted.
“While some parties are opposing climate action just as extreme weather is intensifying, our polling shows that transformative climate policies remain popular with voters of all stripes – particularly when they’re designed in a way that’s fair, or can help boost our struggling economy.
"Britain’s a global leader when it comes to offshore wind, but we still hold enormous untapped potential. Taking full advantage of our homegrown renewable resources can guarantee our energy security, bring bills down and even position the UK as a leading manufacturing power.
“If we’re to secure these benefits and lock the UK into a more prosperous future, then it’s vital the government’s climate plan, due in October, is both bold and fair.”
ENDS
For more information and interviews contact the Friends of the Earth press office on 020 7566 1649 or email [email protected]
Notes to editors:
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,097 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26-27 June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). The full YouGov survey results are available online.
- Friends of the Earth successfully challenged the previous government over its inadequate climate action plan at the High Court. More information is available on the Friends of the Earth website.
About Friends of the Earth: Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK's largest grassroots network. We're part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. For more information visit: friendsoftheearth.uk and follow us on X or Instagram at @friends_earth, or find us on LinkedIn