Poll shows demand for faster climate action under Andy Burnham

Public opinion demands faster climate progress from Labour

A recent poll shows that most UK voters want the Labour government to pick up the pace on climate and nature policy. The survey suggests widespread concern that current efforts fall short of public expectations.

The poll, conducted by More in Common and reported by Business Green, reveals that over half of voters believe Labour’s climate and nature policies lack sufficient ambition. This finding aligns with broader public sentiment captured in a separate WWF-commissioned survey, also conducted by More in Common, which found that 52% of respondents think the UK government is not doing enough to protect the environment. Only 24% say current efforts are adequate.

For UK businesses, particularly SMEs working to meet net zero commitments or competing for public sector contracts, this political pressure could translate into stricter regulations and faster policy timelines. Understanding the direction of travel matters when planning carbon reduction strategies and supply chain compliance.

What the polling data reveals about voter priorities

The More in Common research indicates a clear disconnect between public expectations and perceived government action. More than half of voters say Labour’s environmental policies need greater ambition. This sentiment crosses party lines to some degree, though the intensity varies.

YouGov polling from 2024 found that 65% of the public express concern about climate change. Government and ONS data from 2025 put that figure even higher, between 77% and 80%. These numbers suggest that environmental concern remains significant despite cost-of-living pressures dominating headline political debates.

Support for the UK’s net zero target also remains relatively strong. Research from 2024 shows that 64% of people believe the net zero deadline should be 2050 or earlier. The 2025 Climate Barometer found that 63% support the net zero goal overall. Notably, this support extends beyond traditional environmental constituencies. Approximately 33% of Reform UK supporters back the net zero target, despite opposition from party leader Nigel Farage.

However, urgency has declined over time. In 2021, 54% of respondents said the UK should reach net zero before 2050. By 2024, that figure had dropped to 29%. This suggests that while voters support climate action in principle, they are less convinced about accelerated timelines. The shift likely reflects concerns about costs and practical implementation challenges.

Political context shapes business planning horizons

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election on 19 June 2026 with 54.8% of the vote. He secured 24,927 votes and a majority of over 9,200 against Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon. This victory gave him a seat in the House of Commons and positioned him as a potential challenger to then-Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Following his election, Burnham voted to adopt the UK’s seventh Carbon Budget, affirming his support for net zero targets. He subsequently delivered his first major speech as Labour leader after Starmer’s resignation, which received broadly positive public feedback initially. However, his favourability ratings took a hit shortly after. A YouGov poll conducted on 24-25 June recorded his favourability at minus 11, with 42% viewing him unfavourably and 32% favourably.

Political leadership changes matter for businesses because they can signal shifts in regulatory priorities and enforcement intensity. If Burnham’s leadership leads to more ambitious climate policies, businesses may face tighter deadlines for carbon reporting, stricter supply chain requirements, or enhanced scrutiny in public procurement processes.

Polling suggests Burnham could improve Labour’s electoral position against Reform UK. Under Starmer’s leadership, Labour led Reform by 9 points. Under Burnham, that advantage increased to 13 points, a 4-point boost. An Ipsos poll from earlier in June found that 25% of voters preferred Burnham as Prime Minister compared to 12% for Starmer. These numbers indicate that Burnham has political capital to spend, though his negative favourability rating shows that capital is not unlimited.

Commercial implications for UK businesses

The polling data suggests that businesses should prepare for potential policy acceleration rather than relaxation. Government responsiveness to public opinion varies, but sustained pressure from over half the electorate creates political momentum for action.

For SMEs working towards net zero, this environment creates both risks and opportunities. Risks include faster-moving compliance requirements, potentially higher costs for carbon reduction measures, and increased complexity in supply chain management. Opportunities include competitive advantages in tenders that prioritize environmental credentials, access to government support schemes that may expand under more ambitious policies, and reputational benefits from early action.

Public sector suppliers face particular exposure. Procurement Policy Note 06/21 already requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts above £5 million to publish carbon reduction plans. If political pressure drives further policy development, these requirements could expand to lower value thresholds or demand more detailed reporting. Businesses without credible carbon reduction strategies may find themselves locked out of tender opportunities.

Manufacturing and distribution businesses should also pay attention. Supply chain emissions, known as Scope 3, often account for the largest portion of a company’s carbon footprint. As larger customers face pressure to report and reduce their Scope 3 emissions, they will increasingly expect suppliers to measure and manage their own environmental impact. This cascading effect means that even small businesses not directly subject to reporting requirements may need to collect and share emissions data to maintain customer relationships.

Cost remains a central concern for businesses and the wider public. While 63% support net zero, only 29% want it delivered before 2050. This gap reflects real anxiety about implementation costs and disruption. Businesses that can demonstrate cost-effective pathways to carbon reduction will be better positioned than those presenting net zero as purely a compliance burden. Energy efficiency measures, waste reduction, and optimized logistics often deliver carbon savings alongside operational cost benefits.

What the data tells us about policy direction

• Over 50% of UK voters believe Labour’s climate and nature policies lack sufficient ambition, according to More in Common polling reported by Business Green.
• A WWF-commissioned survey found that 52% of the public think the government is not doing enough to protect the environment, while only 24% say current efforts are adequate.
• Support for the net zero target remains substantial, with 64% believing the deadline should be 2050 or earlier and 63% supporting the goal overall in 2025 polling.
• Environmental concern affects 65% to 80% of the population depending on the survey, indicating that climate issues remain politically significant despite not always topping voter priority lists.
• Cross-party support exists for net zero, with approximately 33% of Reform UK supporters backing the target despite party leadership opposition.
• Andy Burnham voted for the UK’s seventh Carbon Budget after entering Parliament, signaling his support for existing net zero commitments.
• Urgency has declined since 2021, with only 29% now saying the UK should reach net zero before 2050, down from 54% three years earlier.

Strategic considerations for business owners

The gap between public expectations and perceived government action creates a dynamic environment for business planning. Companies that treat environmental compliance as a tick-box exercise may find themselves wrong-footed if policy accelerates. Those building genuine carbon reduction capability will be better prepared for regulatory changes and market shifts.

Carbon measurement forms the foundation of any credible reduction strategy. Businesses cannot manage what they do not measure. For many SMEs, the starting point involves calculating emissions from energy use, business travel, and purchased goods. This data provides a baseline against which to set reduction targets and track progress. It also enables meaningful conversations with customers about supply chain emissions.

Businesses should consider their net zero approach in commercial terms rather than purely environmental ones. Companies that win public sector contracts need carbon reduction plans. Those in supply chains to larger corporations increasingly face similar expectations. Building this capability now creates a competitive advantage in tender processes and customer relationships. Leaving it until requirements become mandatory creates a rushed, reactive response that often costs more and delivers less.

The net zero program for carbon reporting compliance helps businesses develop the measurement and reporting systems they need to meet emerging requirements. This includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions calculations, carbon reduction planning, and documentation suitable for tender submissions.

Training and capability building also matter. Environmental responsibilities often land on desks of people without specialist knowledge. Finance directors find themselves managing carbon budgets. Operations managers need to understand emissions factors. Procurement teams must evaluate suppliers on environmental criteria. The SBS Academy training on Scope 3 emissions and other sustainability topics helps teams build the practical skills they need to implement policies effectively.

Supply chain considerations deserve particular attention. Many businesses discover that their supply chain emissions dwarf their direct operational footprint. Addressing this requires supplier engagement, data collection systems, and sometimes difficult conversations about performance and expectations. The sustainable procurement support for public sector suppliers addresses these challenges, helping businesses manage the complexity of supply chain carbon management while maintaining commercial relationships.

Political uncertainty should not paralyze action. While the specific form and timing of future regulations remain unclear, the overall direction of travel does not. Carbon reporting requirements will expand. Supply chain scrutiny will increase. Tender criteria will become more sophisticated. Businesses that build capability ahead of mandatory requirements position themselves as category leaders rather than regulatory laggards.

Where to find authoritative guidance

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes policy updates, consultation documents, and guidance on carbon budgets and net zero strategy. This resource provides the most reliable information on government policy direction and regulatory developments.

The UK Carbon Budgets set legally binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions over five-year periods. Understanding these budgets helps businesses anticipate the policy framework within which they will need to operate.

For businesses working on carbon reduction plans for procurement purposes, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 provides detailed guidance on requirements and expectations. This document explains what contracting authorities expect to see in carbon reduction plans and how they will be evaluated.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides internationally recognized standards for measuring and managing emissions. Many businesses use these standards as the foundation for their carbon accounting systems. The protocol covers corporate accounting, Scope 3 emissions, and sector-specific guidance.

Political polling data can be tracked through established outlets including YouGov, Ipsos, and More in Common. While business decisions should not rest on polling fluctuations, understanding public sentiment helps anticipate policy direction and regulatory momentum.