21 July 2026

Press Release

For immediate release

Poll warning for new PM as public says government isn't doing enough on nature and climate

New WWF poll finds three quarters of public care about nature and climate, but most think politicians don't.
57% think Labour has performed badly on protecting nature and the environment since 2024.
57% also said that the government isn’t doing enough on the issues.
Nearly four in five people are worried about pollution and damage to nature, while almost three quarters are worried about climate change.
WWF urges new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to put climate and nature at the heart of government.

As the new prime minister begins his first week in office, new polling commissioned by WWF has revealed that a majority of Britons believe the Government is failing to do enough to protect nature and tackle the climate crisis.

The findings come as the UK reels from a series of extreme heatwaves that have laid bare the growing human and environmental cost of climate change. The recent heat is estimated to have contributed to more than 2,000 deaths, closed schools and sparked wildfires that threaten wildlife and habitats across the country.

The poll, conducted by More in Common, found that 76% of people care about nature, climate and the environment, but 61% believe that politicians do not care much or at all about these issues. The findings point to growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s environmental record, with a majority (57%) saying the government isn't doing enough to protect nature and the climate.

Over the weekend, media reports suggested that the new administration could allow more drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. Such an announcement would be at odds with public concern on the climate and nature crises as underlined in the new poll.

Concern for the environment spans the political spectrum, with 90% of 2024 Labour voters saying they care a great deal or fair amount about nature and climate, 84% of Conservatives, 87% of Liberal Democrats, 71% of Reform voters and 89% of Greens.

The polling also revealed that 57% of people think the Labour government under Sir Keir Starmer has performed badly on protecting nature and the environment since it came to power in 2024.

People in the UK were also deeply concerned about the risks facing future generations. Nearly four in five people (78%) said they are worried about pollution and damage to the countryside and nature, while 73% said they are worried about climate change.

Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of WWF, said: "The British people care deeply about nature and climate, but many don't believe politicians do – an impression that would only be deepened by an announcement of more drilling in the North Sea. Record-breaking temperatures and the devastating effects of climate change, from heat-related deaths to the wildfires destroying precious habitats, are clear for all to see, including our new prime minister.

“The public don't think politicians are acting fast enough and the message to Andy Burham is clear: protect nature, tackle climate change and build a safer future for people and wildlife."

WWF is calling on the prime minister to accelerate investment in clean energy, restore nature across the UK, and strengthen action to protect communities from the growing impacts of climate change.

NOTES TO EDITORS

More in Common polled 2,001 GB adults between 13–16 July 2026.