Climate action is vital to four in five young voters

Four in five young voters say climate change is important in deciding who they’ll vote for in the federal election, finds a new YouGov poll.

 

Not far behind are women (of all ages), with seven in ten nominating the importance of climate action in deciding their vote on May 3.

 

The polling also reveals younger people don’t believe nuclear power will lower their power bills quickly with only one in ten Millennials (10%) saying nuclear will reduce their bills the fastest.

 

The poll of 1622 Australian voters of all ages and genders was commissioned by Solutions For Climate Australia, the federal advocacy project of peak body, Climate Action Network Australia.

 

The poll found that 79% of Gen Z voters (born between 1997 and 2012) and 73% of Millenials (born between 1980 and 1995) say climate change is important in deciding who they'll vote for. 

 

70% of women of all ages agree.

 

Importantly for politicians, 67% of so-called ‘soft voters’ or ‘undecided’ voters nominate climate change as important in determining their vote.

 

In fact, two in three, or two thirds, of voters across all genders, ages, and regions say climate change remains important.

 

“YouGov polling shows climate change is an important issue for 64% of voters in deciding their vote, and will expect that candidates have serious policies to address climate change in order to earn their vote,” said Paul Smith, YouGov’s Director of Public Data and Affairs.

 

It's worth noting Gen Z and Millennials outnumber Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) for the first time in this election - Baby Boomers are no longer the dominant voting bloc.

 

Across demographics only 14% of voters think nuclear power will bring bills down faster, compared to 41% for renewables.

 

Only 10% of Millennials think nuclear will bring bills down fastest, likewise soft voters.

 

52% of Gen Z and 45% of Millennials believe renewables will bring down power bills faster than other energy sources.

 

Dr Barry Traill, from Solutions for Climate Australia, says the YouGov poll’s results are a game changer.

 

“This polling counters the lazier conversations that this election is solely about the cost of living,” he said.

 

“Younger voters are obviously concerned about cost of living - and they also want action to deal with climate change.

 

“What this data indicates is that every election is now in part a climate election. 

 

“Even with voters feeling extremely crunched by cost of living pressures, climate is still important in deciding how many will vote. 

 

“It also shows that younger voters especially aren’t buying Liberal-National Coalition claims that nuclear or more gas will bring down their power bills. 

 

“Despite the coal and gas industry's relentless disinformation campaign against renewable power, many more people still think solar, wind and storage is the cheapest form of power. 

 

“For key demographics like women and the millions of voters under 45, any compelling pitch by a major party has to include strong climate policies. To be electable, the Liberal Party needs to drop its current fake climate policy, based on hoping that nuclear power may get built in decades.  Both Labor and Liberal need strong policies to phase out coal and gas. 

 

"As in 2022 climate and energy is a key federal election issue.”

 

Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547

 

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All figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1622 Australian citizens aged 18+. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th March - 3rd April 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian voters 18+ by age, gender, location, education, income and past Federal election vote and 2023 Voice Referendum vote.

 

 

YOUGOV POLLING RESULTS

 

How important is climate change action in determining your vote in the next election? Please select the option that best applies.

 

 

 

Which energy source do you think will reduce your energy bills fastest?  Select one option only.