Scottish election poll: overview of voter attitudes on energy, climate and net zero policy
Economic pressures linked to energy, food and fuel prices remain central to how voters assess policy priorities, particularly during election periods.
By Alasdair Johnstone
@A_SJohnstoneShare
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The findings indicate that economic pressures - particularly those linked to household costs and energy prices - were the dominant factors shaping voter priorities, while views on net zero and climate policy varied across the electorate.
The cost of living was the most frequently cited issue influencing voting decisions, selected by half of respondents.
- Cost of living: 50%
- NHS / healthcare: 48%
- Immigration: 19%
Within cost-of-living concerns, respondents identified the following as the most significant pressures:
- Food shopping costs: 63%
- Energy bills: 62%
- Fuel (petrol/diesel): 39%
Net zero targets and climate policy
The polling explored public attitudes towards Scotland’s statutory target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
- 62% of respondents said Scotland should at least try to meet the 2045 target
- 22% said the country should not be trying to meet the target
When asked specifically about support for the target:
- 52% supported the 2045 net zero goal
- 29% opposed it
Views differed by voting intention:
- Higher levels of support were observed among those intending to vote for the SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrats
- Opinion among Conservative voters was evenly split
- A majority of Reform UK voters opposed the target
Perceptions of net zero’s importance
Respondents were also asked whether reaching net zero is essential to tackling climate change:
- 39% said it is essential
- 36% said it is not essential
There were notable differences by political alignment:
- Majorities of SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrat voters were more likely to consider net zero essential
- Conservative and Reform UK voters were more likely to say it is not essential
Attitudes to renewable energy technology
The polling examined levels of public support for key low-carbon energy technologies:
Across the wider population:
- Offshore wind: 74% support
- Onshore wind: 70% support
- Solar farms: 70% support
Among Reform UK voters specifically:
- Offshore wind: 65% support
- Onshore wind: 51% support
- Solar farms: 46% support, 45% oppose
Climate policy as a factor in voting intention
The polling also assessed the extent to which opposition to climate policies influenced voter behaviour.
Among those intending to vote for Reform UK and the Scottish Conservatives. Only a small proportion cited reversing emissions reduction policies as a reason for their vote:
- Reform UK: 7%
- Scottish Conservatives: 5%
This suggests that climate policy positions were not a primary driver of support for these parties.
Methodology
- Polling organisation: More in Common
- Fieldwork dates: 21–27 April 2026
- Sample size: 1,060 Scottish adults (aged 16+)
- Geography: Scotland