NEW POLL: Bipartisan Majorities Support Climate Policies in Biden’s Infrastructure Package; Majority Would be ‘Disappointed’ if Left Out

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Navigator Research and Climate Power released new polling showing that climate policies within President Biden’s American Jobs Plan are extremely popular across party lines. With three quarters of Americans saying climate change is a problem now and for future generations, 78 percent agree that America should make significant investments in clean energy as part of our efforts to rebuild the economy. 

These policies are high priorities with potential political consequences — bipartisan majorities said they would be disappointed if these climate policies were left out of the final infrastructure bill. People of color, Democrats, young people, and Biden voters would be especially disappointed. Across parties, Americans say they would be most disappointed if modernizing the electric grid, expanding clean energy, and creating new jobs to conserve public spaces were left out of the American Jobs Plan. 

The poll tested ten climate-related policies under consideration as a part of the American Jobs Plan, and all policies earned majority support. Modernizing our electric grid, job creation for land conservation, and supporting energy efficient housing all earned support from over 90 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of Independents, and almost 40 percent of Republicans. 

“There is overwhelming support from the American people for the American Jobs Plan and how it will deliver the good paying union jobs we need now and build a clean energy future,” said Climate Power Executive Director Lori Lodes. “Last year, young people and people of color showed up to vote for climate action and now, they are ready for President Biden to go big and bold.” 

If these climate policies are enacted, a majority of Americans believe new, clean energy jobs will be available both to them and their communities. This belief is even higher among communities of color — over 70 percent of Black and Hispanic respondents agree that these new jobs will be available to their communities.

“President Biden has made it clear that when he thinks of climate change, he thinks of jobs — Americans have heard his message loud and clear, and broadly believe that new clean energy jobs will benefit them and their communities,” said Bryan Bennett, Director of Polling & Analytics at the Hub Project. “People of color, who are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change, are especially invested in these policies, and President Biden must deliver for the communities that are often left behind in discussions about clean energy.”

Progressives are better positioned in the messaging fight: far more Americans agree that tackling climate change should be included in new legislation than just a narrow focus on infrastructure, and progressives are even better-positioned when talking about “investing in clean energy.”