Three things to know

Research indicates that while 74% of people in Britain consider climate change important, there is deep distrust in politics and a tendency to avoid the topic due to negative feelings. The report recommends that communicators ditch technical jargon, focus on positive future visions, and avoid overestimating opposition to net zero. For policymakers, it suggests prioritizing local infrastructure that lowers energy bills, accelerating inclusive solar panel roll-out, cracking down on pollution, and investing in genuine local engagement to counter top-down distrust.

• Public concern regarding climate change in Britain remains high despite competing crises, with 74% of people viewing the issue as important. However, many individuals avoid discussing the topic to escape negative emotions, and there is a pervasive distrust of politicians and government institutions.
• Climate communication is often hindered by technical jargon and an over-reliance on statistics, which can alienate the public. Support for climate action increases significantly when technical terms are replaced with clear explanations of how policies benefit people's lives and health.
• While there is vocal opposition to net zero, it remains a niche perspective; 48% of people believe net zero is good for the UK, compared to 16% who believe it is bad. Additionally, people in the UK underestimate the level of concern others have for climate change by 20%.
• To increase policy support, the report recommends focusing on tangible local benefits, such as using renewable energy to lower energy bills and expanding affordable solar panel installation. It also emphasizes the need for bold action against plastic waste and water pollution to demonstrate government effectiveness.
• To combat the perception of top-down policy imposition, the report advocates for genuine, early-stage local engagement involving trusted community members rather than 'tick box' exercises.

APA

Climate Outreach (2025). Three things to know. https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/chapter-2/

Chicago

Climate Outreach. Three things to know. 2025. https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/chapter-2/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Outreach |title=Three things to know |date=12 August 2025 |url=https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/chapter-2/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateoutreach2025three, author = {{Climate Outreach}}, title = {{Three things to know}}, institution = {Climate Outreach}, year = {2025}, month = aug, url = {https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/chapter-2/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }