When quizzed on what Government policies could be brought in, the proportion of people who thought a third runway at Heathrow was the right priority was far outstripped by the number who thought it was the wrong priority – but the inverse was true for other, greener, potential policies.
The polling also reveals scepticism among the public about who will benefit from Heathrow’s expansion, with half of those quizzed thinking the average UK holidaymaker would not benefit very much or at all, while 55% thought there would not be much of a benefit to the average business.
A survey commissioned by two climate charities found that less than a fifth of people (19%) thought building a third runway at Heathrow was the right priority at the moment, with 61% saying it was the wrong thing to focus on.
A national scheme to insulate homes was seen as the right focus by 68%, upgrading the rail system was seen as the right priority by 70%, and investing in new green technologies was seen as the right priority by 59% of those quizzed.
Rachael Orr, chief executive of Climate Outreach, said: “People around the country tell us they want to protect our climate and nature – and that this can go hand-in-hand with making our country fairer, and people’s lives better.
