Public Attitudes to the Nuclear Industry. November 2009

Transcription

1 Public Attitudes to the Nuclear Industry November 2009

2 Methodology Latest wave of a long series tracking public s attitudes toward the nuclear industry Conducted via Ipsos MORI Omnibus (face-to-face, in-home) among a representative sample of 2,050 adults across Great Britain. Split-sampling was used, so some questions are based on approximately half the total sample Data weighted to reflect the population of Great Britain Fieldwork: 6-12 November

3 Issues of concern 3

4 Most concerning issues What issues, if any, concern you most these days? Cost of living/the economy War/Afghanistan/Iraq/Iran Law and order/crime/policing/violence Greenhouse effect/global warming/climate change Unemployment/Job security Terrorism Healthcare/Family health Immigration/Asylum seekers Financial Security 16% 13% 12% 12% 11% 10% 9% 9% 22% 30% Change World Peace Base: All general public (1,011) November

5 Most concerning issues cont What issues, if any, concern you most these days? Contd Pollution Drugs Protection of the environment Third world poverty Education Child protection/ Child abuse Human Rights Multiculturalism/race or religious issues Cure for diseases Swine flu/ pandemic Base: All general public (1,011) November % 7% 7% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% Change Transport/Traffic +2 Only answers given by 3% or more are charted here na 5

6 Most concerning environmental issues What issues to do with the environment and conservation, if any, concern you most these days? Greenhouse effect/global warming/climate change Pollution Lack of recycling Too much traffic Air pollution Waste disposal Exhaust fumes from cars/lorries Destruction of rainforests/ Deforestation Preservation of wildlife/countryside Litter in towns and cities/local environment Loss of green belt/overbuilding 15% 14% 11% 9% 8% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 26% Change Base: All general public (1,011) November

7 Most concerning environmental issues cont What issues to do with the environment and conservation, if any, concern you most these days? Contd Pollution of rivers/streams/water 5% Change Pollution of seas/waste disposal at sea Destruction of the ozone layer/cfcs Litter in the countryside 5% 4% 3% % Nuclear waste -2 Toxic/chemical waste/toxic dumping Industrial pollution 2% 2% -2-9 Base: All respondents version 1 (1,011), Nov % Flooding/Coastal problems +1 Only mentions of 2% or more are shown here 7

8 The nuclear energy industry 8

9 Favourability towards the industry How favourable or unfavourable is your opinion or impression of the nuclear energy industry? % Very/ mainly favourable % Very/ mainly unfavourable % 27% % 25% % 26% % 19% % 20% Base: All general public (approx 2,000) 9

10 Favourable and unfavourable opinion of the nuclear industry How favourable or unfavourable are your overall opinions or impressions of the nuclear industry/nuclear energy? 50% Favourable Unfavourable 40% 30% 20% 35% 33% 19% 20% 10% 0% Feb '98 Aug Feb '99 Sep t Apri l '00 Dec July '01 Dec '02 Dec '03 Dec '04 Nov '05 Nov '06 Nov '07 Nov '08 Nov '09 Sept Oct Base: All respondents c2,000 10

11 Favourable and unfavourable opinion of the nuclear industry men and women How favourable or unfavourable is your opinion or impression of the nuclear energy industry? Change since 2008 % Very/ mainly favourable % Very/ mainly unfavourable Change since 2008 All -2 33% 20% -2 Men -4 45% 17% -4 Women -1 21% 23% -1 Base: All men (1,027), all women (1.023), Nov

12 Familiarity with the nuclear industry continues to fall How well do you feel you know the nuclear energy industry? % Know very well/a fair amount 30% 27% 20% 20% 17% 10% 0% Base: All general public c2,000 12

13 Knowledge of the industry How well do you feel you know the nuclear energy industry? Never heard of 3% 5% Know very well Know a fair amount Heard of, but know nothing about 34% 14% 44% Know just a little Base: All general public (2,050) November

14 Familiarity with Nuclear Energy Industry, by sex How well do you feel you know the nuclear energy industry? % Know very well % Know fair amount % Heard of, but know almost nothing % Never heard of % Know just a little 27% Men 4% 4% Women 24% (-6 pts) 10% (0% change) 6% 1% 8% 21% 41% 43% 45% Base: All men (1,027), all women (1.023), Nov 2009 Source: Ipsos MORI 14

15 Benefits of nuclear energy What do you believe are, if any, the benefits of nuclear energy as a source of electricity? No carbon dioxide is produced during generation. Helps to combat climate change 19% -1 General impact on the environment/ Cleaner Ensures reliable supply of electricity/ Energy independence Costs are competitive Only a small amount of waste is produced Proven technology that already exists Less use of fossil fuels/ Natural resources Base: All respondents 2009 (2,050) Other None 5% 3% 2% 1% 9% 19% 18% 17% 32% Change Don t know/no answer +2 Only mentions of 2% or more are shown here

16 Disadvantages of nuclear energy Looking at this card, what do you believe are, if any, the disadvantages of nuclear energy as a source of electricity? (Long term) disposal of nuclear waste Risk of accident Radiation/contamination risk General impact on the environment (unspecified) Potential terrorist target Cost is too high Ugly/Eyesores/Loss of visual amenity Public opinion/public perception Other Don t know Base: All respondents (2,050) 2009 None 3% 3% 2% 8% 7% 6% 11% 24% 24% 28% 35% Only mentions of 2% or more are shown here Change

17 Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy by sex What do you believe are, if any, the disadvantages of nuclear energy as a source of electricity? (Long term) disposal of nuclear waste Risk of accident Radiation/contamination risk General impact on environment (unspecified) Potential terrorist target Cost is too high Ugly/eyesore/less of visual amenity Public opinion/perception Base: All respondents (2,050), November 2009 Other None Don't know 27% 32% 25% 26% 21% 12% 11% 9% 8% 9% 5% 3% 3% 3% 3% 1% 1% 5% 8% 15% 32% 43% Men Women All respondents %

18 Attitudes to Newbuild 18

19 Support for replacement newbuild is stable To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear energy is retained. 60% Support Oppose 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 44% 19% 43% 19% 0% Jul-01 Dec-02 Dec-03 Dec-04 Nov-05 Nov-06 Nov-07 Nov-08 Nov-09 Base: All respondents c2,000 * Wording in 2001 was To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain? 19

20 Support for replacement newbuild To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear energy is retained. Don t know +1 Strongly oppose -2 Tend to oppose +2 12% 7% 11% 12% Neither support nor oppose +3 28% Strongly support 30% -1 Tend to support -1 Base: All respondents (2,050) November % 04 % 05 % 06 % 07 % 08 % 09 % Change Support Oppose Net Support Neutral/DK

21 Support of replacement newbuild by subgroups To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear energy is retained. All Men Women AB C1 C2 DE Support Base: All general public (2,050) November Neutral/Don t know Oppose

22 Support for replacement newbuild is down somewhat among men To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear energy is retained. 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Men support Men oppose 59% 14% 53% 15% Dec-02 Dec-03 Dec-04 Nov-05 Nov-06 Nov-07 Nov-08 Nov-09 Base: All men (c 1,000) 22

23 Support of women is solid, though less decisive than among men 60% 50% To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear energy is retained. Men support Women support Men oppose Women oppose 59% 53% 40% 30% 20% 10% 30% 23% 14% 33% 22% 15% 0% Dec-02 Dec-03 Dec-04 Nov-05 Nov-06 Nov-07 Nov-08 Nov-09 Base: All respondents c2,000 (c1,000 men, 1,000 Women) 23

24 Waste and risk continue to dominate; environment growing Why are you opposed to the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain to replace those being phased out over the next few years? Waste/ disposal of waste (Any mention of) Risk Should use renewables/ alternatives Concerns re: radiation Concerns re: the environment Opposed to idea of nuclear Concerns re: long term impact Security risk/ possible terrorist target Don t know enough about it High cost/ expense Don t need them Other Don t know 32% 30% 25% 23% 20% 17% 17% 11% 10% 8% 4% 3% 4% Base: All opposed to building new replacement nuclear power stations (383), November 2009 Change

25 Focus on continuing security of supply and clean energy Why do you support the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain to replace those being phased out over the next few years? Replace traditional resources/renewable energy sources/environmentally friendly Clean source of energy Required for energy source/generate electricity supply/retain/rising demands Reliable long term source of energy Cheap/cheaper/cost effective Lack of viable alternatives/only sustainable source/lesser of two evils The only way forward/power energy for the future/modern and up to date To replace old ones/upgrade/improve/build correctly Will be more efficient Require our own energy so as to reduce reliance on other countries As long as there are proper safeguards/new ones should be safer than the existing ones Need alternative source of energy 27% 25% 23% 22% 17% 14% 9% 9% 8% 7% 5% 5% Base: All who support replacement newbuild (906) November 2009 Only answers mentioned by 5% or more are included Change

26 Marginal decline in support for expansion of newbuild To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain to increase the proportion of nuclear energy that we use? Support Oppose % 29% 40% 37% 40% 40% 24% 24% Base: All general public (approx 2,000) 26

27 Decline in support driven by men s views To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain to increase the proportion of nuclear energy that we use? Change since 2008 % Support % Oppose Change since 2008 All -3 37% 24% 0 Men -8 48% 21% +2 Women +3 27% 28% 0 Base: All men (1,027), all women (1.023), Nov

28 Attitudinal statements 28

29 Majority continues to support a balanced mix including nuclear To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Agree Disagree 2005* 63% 14% Britain needs a mix of energy sources to ensure a reliable supply of electricity, including nuclear power and renewable energy sources % 65% 65% 8% 10% 10% % 8% Base: All general public (2,050) November 2009 * UEA survey October 2005 *MORI/UEA study Oct

30 Backward step on a perceived waste solution To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Agree Disagree I believe there is now a clear way forward on nuclear waste % 21% 38% 33% % 28% % 33% Base: All general public (2,050) November

31 Perceptions of media bias abound To what extent do you agree or disagree that... Information about nuclear energy is usually presented in a fair and balanced way by newspapers, television and other media % Agree % Disagree All 18% 41% Men 21% 43% Women 15% 39% Base: All respondents (2,050), November

32 Some impatience for newbuild, especially amongst men To what extent do you agree or disagree that... There has been too much talk about building nuclear power stations they should just get on with it % Agree % Disagree All 38% 24% Men 46% 22% Women 31% 26% Base: All respondents (2,050), November

33 Perceived knowledge about Nuclear Energy To what extent do you agree or disagree that... I don t really know enough about nuclear energy to be able to give an opinion % Agree % Disagree All 49% 24% Men 41% 32% Women 58% 16% Base: All respondents (2,050), November

34 Information gaps 34

35 What does the public want to know about nuclear energy? What kinds of things, if anything, would you really like to know about nuclear energy? Safety/how safe it is What they do with the waste/waste disposal Environmental impact What the cost is/is it cost effective Nothing/I already have sufficient knowledge What are the risks What are the advantages/pros/benefits What are the disadvantages/cons Want to know the truth/be open More information How/if it will work Effect on people s lives/the public Are there alternatives? Is this the best option? Where are they going to build it? Health/impact on health Other Don t know/ no answer Base: All general public (2,050) November % 10% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 5% Less than 2% mentions not included 47% 35

36 For further information contact on