Now is the time to push politicians for strong and swift climate action that will bring a safer, cleaner, healthier and fairer way of life for all Scots – and recent surveys show that’s what most people want.
Blog by Ilona Amos, Press and Communications Lead at Stop Climate Chaos Scotland
As the Scottish election draws nearer, there has been a flurry of polling carried out to understand the issues people are most concerned about.
Most of the findings will not come as a surprise. Recent research into voter behaviour, commissioned by Scottish Environment LINK, shows the cost of living and the NHS and health services are the most important issues for almost three quarters of those asked.
The economy and jobs; immigration and asylum; education and schools; crime and policing; and housing were also high on the agenda for many.
However, more than a quarter selected climate change and the environment as a top consideration for them at the ballot box, with the issue ranking in eighth place overall – ahead of Scottish independence and transport and infrastructure.
Some other recent surveys back up the importance of climate action and the environment to Scots.
A recent Diffley survey for UK-wide campaign group Uplift shows that nine out of ten Scots care about climate change to some degree, with only one in ten saying they don’t care at all.
More than a quarter of people said they care “a lot”, while two in five care “a fair amount” and one in four “a little”.
Asked how important climate actions should be for the Scottish Government, the majority (57%) of respondents gave it high priority. More than a quarter (26%) feel it should be a medium priority, while around one in six (17%) rated it as a low priority.
This comes amid a background of misinformation about the climate and a growing backlash against net zero policies, perpetuated by some political parties and media outlets.
Analysis by Climate Barometer, which operates a tracker of MP and public opinion, shows the political and media discourse and the public conversation about zero emissions targets have become “disconnected”.
However, there is also a ray of hope – the findings suggest that “overall support for net zero hasn’t fallen further among the public, despite a massive surge in negative campaigning against it”.
As we all know, climate change, nature and the environment underpin and affect almost every other part of society. It is interconnected with everything from health and well-being to food production, housing, travel and finances.
It is crucial that politicians of all parties understand this and recognise the importance of strong green action that will simultaneously benefit people, slash greenhouse gas emissions and boost nature.
The Scottish election in May 2026 is a pivotal moment for all political parties to set out detailed and costed policies to deliver the just transition we all need.
We need the next cohort of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament to take the nature and climate emergencies seriously, protect communities from the impacts of extreme weather, encourage green industries to thrive and create good, secure jobs in the low-carbon sector. No more delays, no more excuses, no more grandstanding.
Now is the time to speak up and push for robust action – this is your chance to tell leading representatives of the main political parties what matters to you.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has joined up with four other leading campaign groups – Scottish Environment LINK, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, the Scottish Food Coalition and Our Seas coalition – to hold a hustings event in Edinburgh and online later this month. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from candidates, ask questions and collaborate with individuals united by a shared mission to tackle Scotland’s most urgent challenges.
A hustings presents opportunities to talk about the things that matter to you, discover the opinions of various political contenders on areas of concern and potentially to record commitments from candidates about what they would do if elected.
The event will involve a Q&A session, panel discussion and audience participation. Topics will include a range of issues related to climate and nature, such as: nature restoration on land and at sea; climate justice and adaptation strategies; food sovereignty and a just transition to sustainable food systems; participative democracy and community empowerment.
The hustings will run from 6pm to 8pm on 24 February at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. The 100 in-person tickets have already sold out but there are still online places available.
Register and get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-hustings-scotlands-big-climate-and-nature-debate-hybrid-event-tickets-1980766383574?aff=oddtdtcreator