How big a priority are green issues in the 2026 General Election?

Climate change was a priority in 2021, but is it now?

How big a priority are green policies in the upcoming election? 

Well, in 2021 it was the most common priority among the 65 candidates who stood.

In fact, of those who responded to Manx Radio's survey at the time, 38 named it as one of their top three issues.

However, just five years later, only one of the 82 standing this time has cited the environment as one of their key election issues.

And to add to that, the Isle of Man Green Party hasn't fielded a single candidate, despite having two in 2021.

Amy Griffiths has been asking its secretary Andrew Langan-Newton why:

The head of a local environmental charity is also worried about the shift in focus away from green support.

Bill Dale founded Beach Buddies 20 years ago, which organises and funds beach cleans around the Island.

He's now urging voters to ask prospective MHKs where they stand on government support for his charity.

Bill claims that following the end of an initial three-year contract four years ago, during which the organisation received £30,000 a year from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to support its work.

However, he says an offer for renewal was declined.

Bill told Simon Richardson the decision's made it harder for the charity to make ends meet:

Manx Radio has approached DEFA for a response to Bill's comments.

But the question remains, why do green policies seem to be lower down on the agenda in this election?

For some, there's the argument of 'getting your own house in order first', before attempting to take on any wider challenges.

The cost of living feels incredibly high for lots of people here, housing on the Island is still an issue that's not gone away in five years, and making government operate more efficiently and at a lower cost are all hot topics in 2026.

Or, is it that green issues are still very much at the forefront of people's minds, but they've had a rebrand?

This most recent administration has cited renewable energy projects as a way of tackling the cost of living crisis, with plans being brought forward for an offshore and onshore wind farm, support made available to help people make their homes more energy efficient and a ban on building new properties with fossil fuel heating systems.

Food security is another priority for a number of candidates - with calls for an increase in the amount of locally-produced food to be consumed here, thus not depending as highly on food being transported here and therefore cutting down on our carbon footprint.

In July, Tynwald received the annual Climate Change Progress Report for 2025/26, which claimed there's been a 10 percent reduction in carbon emissions here since 2018.

Having said that though, it also showed that half of the six sectors were at risk of not hitting the net zero target of 2050 - which Tynwald has made a legal requirement.