Research and analysis

Public perceptions of net zero technologies: social science research and evidence: summary

Published 2 September 2025

Applies to England

1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary

This project reviewed evidence about public perceptions and social acceptance of net zero technologies through three case studies: lithium-ion batteries, heat networks and ocean alkalinity enhancement. These technologies were selected because they are associated with significant behavioural change, controversy or potential social impacts and are likely to come within the Environment Agency’s remit as a regulator and advisor to government.

1.1 Background

The UK has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This will entail many fundamental changes that will affect people’s everyday lives. The Environment Agency will play an important role in the net zero transition, especially as a regulator of many low-carbon technologies. Understanding public perceptions of these technologies will help support community engagement and regulatory decision-making.

1.2 Approach

A quick scoping review of social and behavioural science research and policy documents was conducted. The review considered three case study technologies: lithium-ion batteries, heat networks and ocean alkalinity enhancement. For the case of ocean alkalinity enhancement, public discussions about a trial of the technology were also analysed.

1.3 Results

While many people welcome net zero as a sign of decisive action to tackle climate change, the changes involved may provoke concern about the disruption caused. Social scientific research reveals how this disruption reflects social values, from the home and family to relationships with the sea and nature. Research shows that people are concerned about net zero potentially reducing their freedom to choose between products and services, but that observing friends and neighbours adopting new technologies can help make those technologies meaningful for them.

Many of the technologies involved in reducing carbon emissions are unfamiliar to most people, so their risks and benefits can seem uncertain. Amongst the technologies reviewed, ocean alkalinity enhancement provoked the strongest controversy as a technology. Lithium-ion batteries and heat networks are quite well accepted as technologies, but potential users express concerns about how they are implemented. Trust in governments, regulators and industries will play an important part in whether the public accepts or rejects net zero technologies. People expect to be informed and consulted about the changes involved in the net zero transition, including the trade-offs between different values and objectives. They are also concerned about whether the risks, costs and benefits of the transition will be distributed fairly.

1.4 Conclusions

Given the Environment Agency’s role in protecting the environment and regulating relevant industries, it is vital to consider how members of the public think and feel about the net zero transition and their part in it.  The project’s findings will help the Environment Agency understand public reactions to net zero technologies. This can be used to inform engagement with communities and regulation of these technologies.

The evidence shows that meaningful and consultative public engagement processes can help establish dialogue between the public, the developers of technologies and those who have decision-making power about the deployment of technologies. It can also help reveal how the risks, costs and benefits of different technologies are distributed and thereby identify any unfair or unintended consequences for people and the environment.

1.5 Publication details

This summary relates to information from project SC230027, reported in detail in the following output:

• Report: SC230027
• Title: Public perceptions of net zero technologies: Social science research and evidence     
• Project manager: Dr Katie Dow, National Social Science Team

This project was conducted by the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible.

Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk.

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