Ahead of the G7 meeting, the YouGov organization for global think tank E3G conducted a survey in G7 countries that found there is overwhelming public support to help poor countries reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. The survey, conducted in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK and the US, found that 66% of the survey participants supported it.
The people of all seven countries want their governments to stick to promises made to the United Nations in 2010, which promised to provide $100 billion in climate finance annually. Of those surveyed, 50% want their government to stick to its pledge, while only 29% feel that circumstances have changed substantially and that their government should break its pledge.
G7 leaders will meet between 11-13 June in Cornwall, United Kingdom, to discuss issues such as vaccine equity and climate finance distribution.
Some of the highlights of this survey are as follows:
50% of G7 voters want their government to stick to its pledge, while only 29% feel that circumstances have changed enough and that their government should back down from its pledge.
51% of people in G7 countries say “climate change affects all of us, so it’s in my country’s interest to help poor countries transition to clean energy” while just 34% say their government He should focus only on his people and country.
43% of G7 voters think that if Russia or China steps in instead and helps these poor countries, it will hurt their country’s power and influence abroad.
Support for the measures remained high in all seven G7 countries, and was highest in Italy (85%).
YouGov showed overwhelming support among UK voters for providing financial and technical support to developing countries to transition to clean energy. These measures have the support of 64% of voters, with only 23% opposed and 14% unsure.
46% would oppose breaking previous promises of climate change support for developing countries, while only 34% see it as justified in the context of the changing budget pressures brought on by the pandemic.
Speaking on the US side, Kay Alden Meier, senior partner at E3G, says, “A clear majority of Americans want our government to provide financial and technical assistance to help developing countries transition to clean energy. They understand that.” We believe that it is not only an essential element of a smart strategy to avoid the worst effects of climate change, but it is also in our economic and national security interests.”
About Germany, E3G’s Jennifer Tolman says, “Germany has always been a leader when it comes to providing climate finance but this year Merkel disappointed the poor countries’ hopes. The G7 summit is their (Merkel) For developing countries, where climate impacts are getting worse and COVID-19 dominates, solidarity and raising the bar on dual climate finance is the last chance.
And speaking of France, Sima Commourieh, Head of the Better Recovery Unit at E3G, said, “France is a long-standing climate champion on a global scale, and the French population would like to see the country continue this active leadership role. She recognizes that it is in everyone’s interest to support developing countries transition to clean, and will encourage this support regardless of political affiliation. In this election year, it will help the French government seek financial solidarity for climate-protection. It should give enough confidence to carry forward the ambitious agenda.”