According to a recent survey by BC-based Research Co., most British Columbians are in favour of the federal government’s initiative to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but support wanes if this means energy costs will rise.
The Research Co. survey asked respondents from throughout the province how strongly they support various methods of creating energy.
Here is what they responded with:
- Wind:
- agree – 79%
- disagree – 11%
- unsure – 9%
- Geothermal:
- agree – 65%
- disagree – 12%
- unsure – 23%
- Biomass:
- agree – 43%
- disagree – 19%
- unsure – 38%
- Hydropower:
- agree – 80%
- disagree – 10%
- unsure – 10%
- Coal:
- agree – 24%
- disagree – 68%
- unsure – 11%
- Natural gas:
- agree – 65%
- disagree – 24%
- unsure – 11%
- Oil:
- agree – 43%
- disagree – 46%
- unsure – 10%
- Nuclear:
- agree – 42%
- disagree – 44%
- unsure – 14%
Climate priorities
Overall there was a resounding positive feedback about attitudes toward cleaner and greener sources of energy, although many still agreed with the use of natural gas in particular.
The respondents to this survey were also asked what they thought about the province continuing to expand the liquid natural gas (LNG) industrial sector.
To this question, again many agreed with 58% being in favour of LNG expansion; however, 44% also said that natural gas energy should be banned in new build construction.
This shows a clear split on what to do with the natural gas sector as BC strives toward net-zero emissions.
The top three concerns for British Columbians, according to the survey, are: energy costs becoming too high for households to afford, wildfires impacting BC and climate change’s effects on the world/Canada.
For wildfires in BC, 84% of respondents said this was concerning to them making it the most prioritized issue when it comes to climate matters in the province.
On Vancouver Island, only 74% said this was concerning, making islanders the least concrete over wildfires while in the interior, the concern is markedly higher.
The second largest climate-related priority, according to the survey, is energy costs becoming too expensive for households to be able to afford at 83%. Comparatively, energy costs for businesses becoming too expensive is only concerning to 68% of respondents.
Thirdly, the survey found that the general growing concern for climate change’s impacts on the world at 77%, with 76% of respondents saying climate change’s impacts on BC was concerning.
Net-zero emissions
The feds net-zero plan calls for either the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions or offsetting them. This can be done through example actions such as tree planting or employing capture carbon technologies.
Canada, as well as all other members of the G7, have committed to the goal of having net-zero emissions by 2050.
Next, the survey asked respondents if, all things considered, they agree or disagree with this net-zero commitment.
To this, 70% said they supported the initiative, 19% said they disagreed and 11% said they were unsure.
However, it is important to note that when asked if they would still support the net-zero emission goal if energy costs rose, respondents answered with the following:
- If energy costs rose by 10%:
- agree – 67%
- disagree – 21%
- unsure – 12%
- If energy costs increased by 20%:
- agree – 49%
- disagree – 38%
- unsure – 13%
- If energy costs increased by 20%:
- agree – 40%
- disagree – 48%
- unsure – 13%
This data shows that according to the survey, British Columbians care more about financial priorities rather than those relating to curbing the climate crisis.
Research Co. conducted this survey by polling 800 British Columbians from throughout the province between March 19th and 21st.
