New research shows that the UK public widely believes that chief executives and senior board directors of water and oil companies causing any damage to the environment should be held accountable. Survation was commissioned by Citizens’ Arrest Network to explore public opinion on if and how polluting companies should be held to account. Between 24th – 25th September, 2027 adults aged 18+ living in the UK were surveyed on these topics.

Water companies are thought to be responsible for environmental damage and climate change by 71% of the public, and even more feel that fossil fuel companies (77%) and the CEO/board of polluting companies (78%) are liable. Compared to early 2025 (those results can be found here), a 7% increase in those stating fossil fuel companies are responsible was observed. Seven in ten members of the UK public believe any damage caused by water and oil companies should be a criminal offence, consistent with findings from earlier this year. This significantly outweighs the 16% who said the opposite.

When asked about those most responsible being held to account legally for environmental damage, in a general sense, 62% indicated support, and just 11% opposed. An earlier iteration of this poll was run in February 2025, which showed similar results. Three in four respondents think the C-suite and senior board directors should be held accountable in general for environmental damage, 3 points higher than before.

Lastly, Survation found broadly similar findings to the previous wave regarding oil and gas companies meeting their climate targets. The majority (62%) said companies must do more (-4% compared to February), and a fifth said companies are doing enough as they are (+4% to before). A minimal amount said less should be done to meet their climate targets (-4% to February).

Based on this poll, the general consensus is the public considers water and oil executives to be substantially at fault for harm to the environment and climate change. Most believe these water companies should face legal repercussions for damage to the climate, as should their executives, indicating a widely shared opinion that it is criminal for water companies to cause environmental damage. Furthermore, any efforts made by oil companies to reduce damage have been insufficient so far. The general public wants further action to protect the climate, whether that is through indictment or company actions.

GET THE DATA.

Survation conducted an online poll of 2,027 adults aged 18+ in the UK on their opinions about environmental damage by companies. Fieldwork was conducted between 24th – 25th September 2025. Tables are available here for September and here for February.

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