Progressive Activists
Who are Progressive Activists?
(8% of the British public)
Opinionated, confident, outward looking and restless for change, this segment is probably the most familiar to climate campaigners. Progressive Activists are very engaged across a wide range of issues, with climate change central among them. From voting, to protesting and signing petitions, members of this segment are boldly progressive in their politics (with the most left-wing views on social and economic issues) and consistently active in their own lives (politically and personally) on climate change.
But the Progressive Activists are also exhausted by the division in politics, and the most likely to feel that the country is divided. They are the most likely to believe the system is rigged to serve the rich and influential, and share a disaffection/fatalism about society with Disengaged Battlers and Loyal Nationals, despite having very different demographic profiles. Progressive Activists are united in their belief that inequality is a major problem – sexism, racism, and economic injustice.
Demographically, this segment trends the youngest, has the highest proportion who are university educated, and a large number of high-earners. This segment overwhelmingly supports Labour and voted to remain in the European Union (EU).
While they are the most likely segment to believe that people should stick to their beliefs and fight (35%), the majority (51%) would still opt for compromise to get things done – so although they’re ideological and passionate about what they believe, they recognise they can’t drive change on their own.
This segment is the least proud of being British, and of their class. They largely reject nation-based identities in favour of a ‘human’, ‘global’ or European’ identity. Progressive Activists tend to feel that British identity is being strengthened through diversity (72%).
The table below highlights what an ideal UK looks like for this segment, as well as the issues that are most important to them, the messengers they trust, and their preferred news sources.
| Ideal UK | Most important issues (Feb) | Most important issues (Sept) | Trusted messengers | Most read news sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmentally - friendly | The environment and climate change | The environment and climate change | Climate scientist | BBC |
| 2 | Compassionate | Healthcare and the NHS | Healthcare and the NHS | David Attenborough | The Guardian |
| 3 | Tolerant | Britain leaving the EU | Britain leaving the EU | Environmental charities |
Why do you have to demonstrate your nationality or the lack of it? If you live somewhere and you’re a part of the community, isn’t that the most important thing?”
...the term ‘British’ is a much broader statement and it leaves room for a lot more – it’s a bit more inclusive because you can say, ‘I’m British’ and then ‘British-Caribbean’ for example, ‘British-African’, ‘British-Indian’. Whereas ‘English’ sounds very small, closed off, and as if you’re just English and you don’t want to be anything else.”
Going to a very predominantly white school, living in a predominantly white area, it becomes very apparent when people are not just ignorant but uneducated on issues – not just Black issues but issues representing many marginalised groups in this country. I think it’s embarrassing because without the diversity and the groups that make up this country, the UK would not be what it is today.”
There is very little trust in the current Conservative government (92% indicated they were ‘not at all’ trusting in Boris Johnson before Covid-19) and a large majority disagree that ‘austerity cuts’ in public spending are justified or necessary. The ideal UK for Progressive Activists is one that is environmentally-friendly, compassionate, tolerant, fair and ‘global’ in its outlook.
Progessive Activists on climate change
With the highest levels of concern about climate change, and the highest level of understanding that climate change is human-caused, Progressive Activists are the familiar, ‘usual suspects’ for many (but not all) campaigners on climate change. Of all the important issues facing the UK, the environment and climate change are top of their list. They are also the most likely to see climate change as a dominant issue that drives or underpins other social problems, with more than half (57%) voting for a political party because of its climate change policy, and they are the segment with the highest agreement with the view that tackling climate change requires radical, urgent change (83%).
The more that we destroy the environment around us – society will collapse if the environment continues to degrade. So, I think worrying about the political nuances or whatnot is a short-term thing when if we destroy the world that we live in, all of the other issues are going to become secondary and meaningless.”
Progressive Activists feel a variety of negative emotions about climate change – they are angry, scared and anxious, and they feel guilty.
Only Progressive Activists and Civic Pragmatists say they are as worried about climate change as they are about other environmental issues, like plastics, deforestation and air pollution. Against all other environmental issues, concern for the livelihoods of farmers is the lowest among this segment.
In common with other segments, they trust climate scientists and David Attenborough to tell the truth on climate change, as well as environmental charities. Unlike other segments, they have higher levels of trust in the school strikers and even – uniquely among the segments – Extinction Rebellion.
Average level of agreement per segment that environmental campaigners are hypocrites
Progressive Activists’ views about the credibility of environmental campaigners distinguish them from other segments, who tend to agree with their aims but disapprove of their tactics
Percentage per segment who agree with the aims and tactics of environmental activists
Progressive Activists are split on this (55% agree with the aims and the tactics), but are still 30 points ahead of the second most supportive segment, Civic Pragmatists. Even so, there is some recognition among Progressive Activists that they may be unique in their worldview, and that climate action needs support across the political spectrum.
...in so far as I can make out, Extinction Rebellion seems to be a more middle class activity. But I think airlines, motorways – the real destructive stuff that happens day in, day out can be tackled and I think there’s a real place for activism there … I do agree though with their very direct and aggressive activism. I think that’s exactly the kind of thing that is needed.”
It can’t just be us radical lefties … It’s like how people saw Occupy Wall Street as being a bit nuts. It’s that same sort of thinking for the Extinction groups. But I think unless the general public are going to get involved, it’s not going to change.”
For Progressive Activists, climate action is not primarily the responsibility of individuals, but rather of governments and big businesses. Ordinary people’s responsibility is to vote and be angry.
...if the corporations would only be regulated in such a way that they would not produce so much pollution, they would not put things in so much plastic, they would not do so much damage to the environment – the blame needs to be shifted from the individual to the corporations and the government.”
I think our individual responsibility with the environment is holding governments to their responsibility. The trouble with governments is that they’re short-term and are really only interested in what happens today, over the next four years and whether they can maintain power or not … our individual responsibility I think should be getting more angry about the lack of action that is taken.”
NEW: Climate policy support and involvement
Biggest Issues (after cost of living and NHS)
- Climate change & the environment
- Poverty and inequality
- Housing
Most worried that climate change might…
- Harm nature and wildlife
- Cause hardship and suffering for the world’s poorest
- Have a negative impact on my children’s futures
Reasons to not participate in consultations
1) I don’t trust MPs so don’t want to engage with them
2) Me taking part won’t make a difference
3) I don’t trust my local councillors so don’t want to engage with them
Reasons to participate in consultations
1) It’s important that local people have a say in things that concern their local area
2) I see it as part of doing my bit to combat climate change
3) Governments aren’t doing enough for climate change, so I feel it’s my responsibility to get involved
Three ways to engage Progressive Activists in climate policy change
- Build hope, and a sense of possibility: show changes that are underway already and that concern is widespread. Promote actions that feel like they address big, systemic problems.
- Talk about the big picture leadership needed on climate and nature: show how the government should lead the way, including by expecting businesses to do more.
- Use like-minded, local spokespeople to engage with this segment: Progressive Activists respond well to community groups and environmental organisations holding governments and business to account.
See the Seven segments 2024 overview here.
Progressive Activists care deeply about climate change and its injustices, but they feel exhausted and have somewhat lost hope
As the most engaged group who are the most concerned about climate change, Progressive Activists are also the most exposed to exhaustion and pessimism. They have been fighting this fight for many years, and feel the government is not doing enough. 75 per cent say the government is doing a bad job at tackling climate change. This may explain why 49 per cent of this segment say that climate change is having a negative impact on their well-being.
The climate is something we need to tackle. We should have started tackling many years ago.”
Progressive Activist, Bristol
I've got no hope. I feel like I cared so much five years ago and as time's gone on and it feels like nothing's happening, I don't feel like anyone's going to do anything. I think it's a lost cause.”
Progressive Activist, Bristol
There is a desire for decisive action by leaders
Progressive Activists are the most supportive out of all the segments of large government action. Widespread support for most climate policies, including those that other segments perceive as highly contentious, emphasises the notion that this segment’s preferred approach to climate action is “everything, everywhere, all at once”.
If we look back to Covid when the country's in crisis, it's putting things in place that we might not want to happen in order to protect us in the long run. I'm not saying that Covid was handled amazingly, but I'm just saying they do have that power to do that, do that with climate change. But where climate change is such a long and ongoing thing, it just feels easier to ignore than something like Covid in terms of putting in those harsh policies such as limited flights.”
Progressive Activist, Brist
The urgency Progressive Activists feel about tackling climate change, combined with what they perceive as a lack of action by leaders, means that they are likely to support most suggestions on actions by governments and businesses, which makes them a clear outlier among the seven segments.
As such, they see large-scale action to regulate businesses to reduce their carbon emissions or reducing oil and gas exploitation in the North Sea as clear priorities in how the government tackles the climate crisis.
Perceived most important and least important issues the UK government could prioritise relating to the environment and climate change for Progressive Activists
Taking a big picture view of what needs to happen to bring about net zero, Progressive Activists clearly want the government to pull their weight and prioritise tackling big issue items that the government is in a unique position to influence, over efforts to reduce emissions from individuals, such as reducing emissions from air travel or reducing food waste.
Engaging the Progressive Activists
Channel their desire for radical action and their antagonism towards government by mobilising them to open up new fronts for change. Persuade them that bringing the rest of the British population along with them will speed up rather than slow down the transformation they desperately want to see. Help them build bridges with segments who share many of their values (e.g. Civic Pragmatists) but who are intimidated by their level of political commitment and activism.
Emphasise climate justice
Progressive Activists have an understanding that the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable groups reflects and is largely driven by structural inequalities. Give voice to their belief that those who are poor or marginalised should be given special importance, wherever in the world they are.
Acknowledge their pessimism, but avoid fatalism
It is important to validate active negative emotions, including anxiety, anger and helplessness, while avoiding messages that are overly optimistic or positive. However, too much despair could lead to burnout and defeat. Build efficacy and avoid fatalism by balancing messages about the scale and urgency of the problem with bold measures that could genuinely shift the dial. Consider supporting this group with resources that help to alleviate climate anxiety.
Channel their antagonism in a constructive way
Recognise their strongly held antagonism towards the government, but help them see that participation in protest movements, for example, is not a substitute for other forms of political activity. Channel their energy – and likely eloquence on the subject of climate change – towards meaningful engagement with their local MPs and with people in their community who could be encouraged to do the same.
Challenge them to create and hold new spaces
Arguments about incremental improvements do not hold sway with this segment. They want urgent, radical change from government and big business. Use this ambition to mobilise them in new areas (e.g. making natural gas the new coal) and against key targets (e.g. banks financing fossil fuel companies).
Encourage them to help build the societal mandate
Progressive Activists stand apart from the other segments in many ways. This toolkit can equip them with the insights they need to widen the consensus. It’s not about diluting their beliefs or finding the lowest common denominator: it’s about helping them to begin the conversation from where the other person is. This is critical for avoiding a culture war on climate change.
Craft climate messages that identify common cause with other groups
This segment see the most division and conflict in society and they are the least likely to agree with the view that we look after each other in 2020, so it is important to consider similarities with other segments, where possible. In fact, this segment shares concerns with the two ‘Disengaged’ groups around wealth inequality, and identify some of the same people as being to blame (e.g. unaccountable corporations). This may help to improve Progressive Activists’ sense of collective efficacy and their ability to find common cause with other segments.
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