Friends of the Earth Cymru say most people in Wales are likely to support solutions that create a cleaner, greener and fairer Wales, especially when they would directly improve their lives and that of their local community.

It follows a new poll conducted by YouGov on the behalf of Friends of the Earth Cymru, which found that six in ten (60%) Welsh adults are very or fairly worried about climate change and its impact on their lives, a figure that goes up to nearly 8 in 10 (78%) among young people 16 - 29 years old.

Extreme weather (e.g. flooding, heatwaves), food insecurity (e.g. crop failure, famine) and economic impacts (e.g. poverty and employment are the top three concerns.

Support for renewable energy was particularly strong across all demographics and voter groups. In contrast, well over half of people in Wales have an unfavourable opinion of dirty and polluting sources of energy like coal (58%) and fracking (54%).

  • 83% have a favourable opinion of solar energy
  • 72% offshore wind
  • 65% onshore wind

Policies that directly benefit people and communities also enjoy high levels of support across all demographics and voter groups such as reducing energy bills, saving money and generally improving their lives and the environment they live in. For example:

  • 81% support more funding to make homes more energy efficient.
  • 75% would support the government enabling local communities to generate their own renewable energy.
  • 66% support creating a new fund for toy libraries.
  • 59% support free bus travel for all Welsh residents.

Free bus travel for all is particularly supported by younger age groups - with support at 76% amongst 16 - 29 year olds, and 65% for those aged 30 - 49, dropping to 47% to those over 65 who already receive free bus travel.

There were also variations in how easy or hard it is to use public transport - with those living in Mid and West Wales finding it the most difficult to get around by public transport, and those in Cardiff and the surrounding area finding it easiest.

Pollution of air, water and soil is a key concern. 72% of people are concerned about water pollution and a clear majority of all Welsh adults would support measures to improve all types of pollution:

  • 89% support stronger regulations to clean up polluted water.
  • 80% support more funding to clean polluted land sites.
  • 79% support a new plan to tackle microplastics.
  • 67% support new targets to reduce air pollution.

In the poll, people were asked what a healthy environment meant to them, with many expressing strong feelings on the issue. As one respondent put it, “A healthy environment means clean air, clean water, and safe, unpolluted natural spaces where plants, animals, and people can live and thrive. It also includes sustainable practices like reducing waste, protecting wildlife, and using renewable energy.”

Many respondents mentioned clean and safe environments, with clean air and no pollution appearing prominently.

Responding to the polling, Haf Elgar, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru said:

“Taking action to tackle the climate and nature crises isn’t just good for the planet – it makes good sense for people and communities as well.

We are pleased to see such a high level of support for policies such as home energy efficiency, cleaning polluted land and water, and communities generating their own renewable energy, from across the political spectrum.

This Senedd election is a golden opportunity to give people and nature a better life and future – and we urge all parties to adopt these policies.”