The Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT) collects data on public awareness, behaviours and attitudes relating to the policy areas of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The public's responses are summarised for different groups of the population, including a breakdown for each of the nine English regions (ITL1 areas). Statistics are released three times a year but many questions are only asked annually.
This report focuses on responses from the North East region (ITL1 area) to some of the questions about climate change and net zero. The small sample size means that no statistics for the North East CA (combined authority) area are published.
Attitudes to climate change and net zero
82%
concerned about climate change
North East ITL1 area, winter 2024.
Up from 75% a year earlier.
Very (32%) and fairly (50%) concerned.
Across the UK: 80% concerned.
48%
know at least a fair amount about net zero
North East ITL1 area, winter 2024.
Up from 40% a year earlier.
9% have no awareness of at all.
UK, at least a fair amount: 53%, none: 9%.
86%
think that we can reduce climate change impact if everyone does their bit
North East ITL1 area, summer 2024.
72% can make changes in their own life,
59% find information conflicting,
36% think it not worth acting if others don't.
83%
trust scientists for climate change information
North East ITL1 area, summer 2024.
70% trust TV documentaries,
51% trust Government (charities: 58%)
42% trust newspapers (social media: 10%).
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 13 Mar 2025, winter 2024 data Full question: How concerned, if at all, are you about climate change, sometimes referred to as 'global warming'? About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 13 Mar 2025, winter 2024 data Full question: Before today, how much, if anything, did you know about the concept of 'net zero'? About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 29 Oct 2024, summer 2024 data, updated annually. Full questions: How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
"If everyone does their bit, we can reduce the effects of climate change" "I have the ability to make changes in my life that could help reduce climate change" "There is so much conflicting information about climate change it is difficult to know what to believe" "The media exaggerates the impacts of climate change" "It's not worth doing things to help reduce climate change if others don't do the same" About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley combined authority (CA) areas.
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 29 Oct 2024, summer 2024 data, updated annually. Full question: How much do you trust each of the following to provide accurate information about climate change? About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
North East ITL1 area, summer 2024.
81% minimise energy use, 79% food waste,
49% use active travel, 37% public transport,
14% drive an electric or hybrid car.
66%
not confident that we will reach net zero by 2050
North East ITL1 area, summer 2024.
19% not at all confident,
47% not very confident,
22% fairly confident, 1% very confident.
52%
expect long-term positive net zero impact on UK economy
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 29 Oct 2024, summer 2024 data, updated annually. Full question: Thinking now about your everyday life, do you do any of these things? About the data: Thhe PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 29 Oct 2024, summer 2024 data, updated annually. Full question: How confident are you that the UK is on track to meet its Net zero target by 2050? About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 29 Oct 2024, summer 2024 data, updated annually. Full question: What impact do you think the UK's transition to Net Zero might have on the UK economy? About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
Source: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT), last updated: 29 Oct 2024, summer 2024 data, updated annually. Full question: What impact do you think that the UK's transition to Net Zero might have on your regular living expenses (for example energy, food, travel)? About the data: The PAT is a survey of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to the policies of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), such as energy and climate change. Geography: North East region, which includes the North East and Tees Valley CA (combined authority) areas.
Access to statistics and national reports from each wave of data of the Public Attitudes Tracker. With breakdowns by personal characteristic, including by broad region of residence.
Find out more about how local government, business, education, the public sector, and civil society within the North East are collaborating to tackle the climate emergency.
