Public signals support for green measures

Business and political leaders committed to pressing ahead with carbon reduction measures received a boost today in the form of a new poll suggesting public support for green policies and products remains strong.

The Guardian/ICM poll found that despite widespread speculation that economic concerns are undermining the public appetite for environmental measures, the majority support the idea that tackling climate change should take priority over addressing the economic downturn.

When asked where the government's priorities should lie, 52 per cent of the 1,002 respondents said the environment, while only 44 per cent said the economy.

More than 60 per cent said they would also support new green taxes, compared with only 35 per cent who were firmly against them – a fact likely to be welcomed by chancellor Alistair Darling who today faced fresh protest from hauliers over fuel duty and calls from the Conservatives to scrap changes to road tax designed to hit owners of older, high-emission vehicles.

The poll also exploded the myth that green issues are predominantly the concern of high earners, finding that they are in fact more likely to rate the economy above the environment.

However, there was bad news for producers of premium green products and services, with the survey echoing similar polls that have found customers are reluctant to pay extra for environmentally friendly products. Only 19 per cent of respondents said they would choose to pay more an environmentally friendly product, while 58 per cent said they would look for a cheaper alternative regardless of its impact on the environment.