Improving awareness and supporting behavioural change offer the biggest opportunities for positive environmental action.
Based on advanced data taken from the ongoing 2025 National Environmental Services Survey, seen exclusively by Environment Journal, the public now considers nature and climate policy and governance to be the second biggest issue in environmental sustainability. Only climate change ranked higher.
Elsewhere, the annual survey developed by ESS Expo and the Environmental Services Association, reveals 16% of people want to see more work done to boost public understandings of the crisis and opportunities to mitigate this. 15% called for stronger regulations – more than those that consider technological advancements to be the priority.
When it comes to achieving net zero, policy is considered the most critical element. However, this area is also seen as the second biggest barrier to achieving carbon neutral goals, with 30% in agreement, falling short of funding constraints, which were considered the most significant obstacle by more than half.
‘It’s promising to see MPs engaging in these vital conversations around climate, nature and Net Zero, helping to set us on a more constructive path, and laying the groundwork for progress. But dialogue alone isn’t enough,’ said Rob Mowat, ESS Expo event director.
‘We need it backed by bold policy, targeted funding, and decisions grounded in the real-world experience of those on the frontline of the climate and biodiversity crisis,’ he continued. ‘Done right, this collaborative approach to policy is one of the UK’s biggest opportunities to lead on environmental action and support the achievement of key environmental targets.’
Image: Ch_pski / Unsplash
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