As the Rudd government moves to scrap the carbon tax, fresh research shows Australians have softened their attitude to the emissions pricing regime.

The Climate Institute says a growing number of Australians reject the argument the carbon tax is based on false science and agree the impost should be given a go.

Attitudes about climate change were emerging from the shadows of the perceived “carbon tax lie”, institute CEO John Connor said.

“There is a sentiment of give carbon pricing a go,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The research found that two-thirds of Australians accept climate change science, with a majority believing it was having an impact.

“Opposition to carbon pricing has dropped significantly but that’s not to say the policy is popular or understood,” Connor said.

Associated research found that 43 per cent of Australians believed the carbon tax should be given “a few years to work”.

Only 24 per cent thought electricity prices would return to pre-carbon tax levels if the impost was abolished.

The government will announce today details of its decision to move from a carbon tax to a market-based emissions trading scheme in July 2014.

KEY FINDINGS FROM CLIMATE OF THE NATION

• 66 per cent of Australians agree climate change is occurring
• 43 per cent think the carbon tax should be given a few years to work, now that it’s been introduced
• 24 per cent think scrapping the carbon tax will take electricity prices to pre-tax levels
• 53 per cent of Australians think they will be worse off with carbon pricing compared to 63 per cent in 2012
• Labor leads the Coalition 26 per cent to 19 per cent in climate change policy support