Welsh election polling: voter views on energy costs, climate change and net zero

The cost of living was the most frequently cited issue influencing how people voted:

• Cost of living: 49%
• NHS / healthcare: 45%
• Immigration: 18%

When asked more broadly about the biggest challenges facing Wales:

• 67% identified the cost-of-living crisis
• 51% identified pressures on the NHS

Within cost-of-living concerns, voters highlighted several key drivers:

• Energy bills: 61%
• Food bills: 61%
• Fuel (petrol/diesel): 46%

Other household costs were seen as less significant:

• Rent or mortgage payments: 23%
• Water bills: 20%
• Car maintenance: 12%

A majority of respondents indicated that climate policy played a role in their decision-making:

• 57% said a party’s commitment to tackling climate change was an important issue in the election

This suggests that, alongside immediate economic concerns, longer-term climate considerations featured prominently in voter priorities.

The polling explored public views on Wales’ net zero emissions targets (aligned with the UK-wide target of 2050):

• 53% supported the Welsh Government’s net zero targets
• 29% opposed them
• 63% said Wales should at least try to reach net zero by 2050

The data indicates that opposition to net zero policies was not a primary electoral driver:

• Among Reform UK supporters, 12% said reversing climate policies was an important issue influencing their vote

This suggests that, even among groups less supportive of net zero, climate policy positions were not a central factor in electoral choices.