LONDON, United Kingdom, 26 March 2024: Environmental Investigation Agency(EIA) announced that according to a new poll, Britons overwhelmingly support taking action to minimise the impacts of climate change (84% showing total support, including 37% who strongly support). Making the announcement through a Press release, EIA said that in the first international poll on climate change and methane, commissioned by the Global Methane Hub, that analyses public support for solutions worldwide, 83% of Britons specifically support reducing emissions of the methane gas to fight climate change, of which 27% showing strong support. 

Kim O’Dowd, Climate Campaigner, Environmental Investigation Agency, said: ‘’In light of these compelling poll results, the UK Government cannot continue turning a blind eye to this super pollutant. Despite pledging to contribute to reducing global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 at the CoP26 climate summit through the Global Methane Pledge, tangible progress toward this goal remains elusive. The methane memorandum released by the Government in 2022 falls short as it lacks the necessary measures to make significant reductions within the limited timeframe we have. What’s urgently needed are concrete regulations targeting key sectors to cut methane emissions rapidly. Time is running out, and the Government must take decisive action to honour its commitments and confront this critical challenge.”

EIA said that methane gas emissions have contributed to about one-third of the warming we are experiencing today, causing harm to communities around the globe. As policymakers look for solutions to cool the planet following the hottest year on record, EIA said, reducing methane by 45% is crucial to lowering warming by 0.3 degrees Celsius by 2040. Furthermore, EIA said, over a 20-year time scale, methane is 86 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas and 28 times more potent over a 100-year time scale. 

Globally, EIA said, the poll reached people in 17 countries across six continents, namely, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, South Korea, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and the United States. EIA said that the online survey gathered data from a total of 12,976 adults, at least 750 in each country, and asked respondents questions on key issues ranging from views on climate change, environmental concerns and support for action, knowledge of methane gas emissions and support for specific policies to reduce methane gas emissions. Furthermore, the Association said, in all 17 countries surveyed, respondents indicated significant support for policy solutions that would make strides toward tackling climate change. Overall, EIA said, 82% of respondents say they support actions taken to minimise methane emissions, with 39 per cent showing strong support.

Marcelo Mena, CEO, Global Methane Hub, said: “Reducing methane emissions is the fastest way to drive down global temperature, and reduce the impacts of climate change. The survey shows that countries most impacted by climate change also support mitigating methane the most. The good news is that doing so will also bring additional benefits, including energy and food security and healthier communities.”

In terms of more detailed methane reduction policies, EIA said, 78% of Britons surveyed support implementing a ban on biodegradable waste disposal into landfills, a major source of methane gas emissions. EIA said that around the world, people surveyed feel that national governments, corporations, and international governmental systems are far more capable than individual citizens to make meaningful changes to minimise the impacts of climate change.

O’Dowd further said: “EIA will be closely monitoring the actions undertaken by the UK Government and push for the adoption of robust regulations to effectively mitigate methane emissions. For instance, we urge the swift implementation of measures to limit methane leaks in the fossil fuel sector, along with the enforcement of bans on routine venting and flaring. These steps are not only effective, but they can also be very cost-effective. Other countries, such as the US, Canada, Nigeria and the EU have already done so. It’s high time for the UK to follow suit.’’