JUST one-fifth of the British public trusts politicians to deliver an agreement to stave off runaway global warming, according to the results of a new survey.

Research by Ipsos Mori found that 46 per cent of Britons have been following the summit, with about one in 10 saying that they are following it closely.

The public have the most faith in experts when it comes to ensuring that the negotiations produce a viable agreement, with four in 10 saying that scientists are best placed to achieve this. 

As the talks enter their final phase, less than one in five believe that politicians will get the job done, with only 17 per cent of respondents saying they trust British policy-makers and only 14 per cent having faith in those from other countries.

From a sample of 1,016 adults aged 16 to 75, more had faith in climate activists than politicians, with 24 per cent saying that they could force an agreement over the line.

Rachel Brisley of Ipsos Mori said: “With only a day left, the public still need convincing that enough is being done.”