The ink may barely be dry on legislation calling the first December election in decades, however polling data is already predicting areas that might help decide the outcome.  

A recent story in the Independent suggests both the continued importance of climate change and the environment to voters in the age of Extinction Rebellion and also the areas that are the key focus of attention and concern.

The latter is of particular interest due to alignment with both the range of practical steps that will be required to meet the target of net zero emissions by 2050, and with the ESG factors that are of growing importance to business and the financial sector.

Polling suggests that voters prioritise widespread afforestation, increased investment in renewables and a comprehensive improvement of energy efficiency in old building stock - all key recommendations for achieving Net Zero in the views of the Committee on Climate Change, in its May 2019 report.

Similarly, voters increasingly expect pension funds to reflect their own concerns over the environment, and for large institutional investors to pay particular heed to sustainability and transition to a low-carbon economy when making investments.

This is perhaps further evidence that ESG and Net Zero are not concepts existing in a vacuum or insubstantial promises, but reflect the real concerns of people who vote and who have, through their pensions at least, a financial stake in companies of all sizes.

Politicians are unlikely to ignore this in the run-up to December 12  and the business community will also be taking note.