Polling data on climate change priorities

89% of people want their governments to do more to address the climate crisis 🌎 New global research featured in The Guardian reveals a critical disconnect between public opinion and perceived social norms regarding climate action. A comprehensive survey across 125 countries representing 96% of global emissions shows that 89% of respondents believe their governments should take stronger measures to address the climate crisis. However, most people significantly underestimate how many others share this view—creating a perception gap that contributes to widespread inaction. This phenomenon aligns with what social scientists refer to as the “spiral of silence.” When individuals assume they are in the minority, they become less likely to express their views or support policy initiatives. Over time, this misperception becomes self-reinforcing, suppressing visible momentum for climate solutions. Experimental evidence cited by The Guardian supports the importance of correcting these misperceptions. In behavioral studies, participants who were informed that most people support climate action contributed significantly more to climate-related causes. This demonstrates how perceived norms directly influence individual behavior. The findings also reveal that willingness to act is global and cross-cutting. In China, 97% of respondents support stronger government intervention. In the United States, the figure stands at three-quarters. Even in high-emission petrostates such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, a majority expressed willingness to allocate a portion of their income to climate efforts. Policy-making has not kept pace with public sentiment. In the United Kingdom, while 72% of the public supports onshore wind developments, only 19% of Members of Parliament correctly perceive this level of support. This misalignment between political judgment and actual public opinion delays or derails climate-related policy decisions. Communicating accurate data on public support for climate action may represent one of the most efficient, scalable interventions available. Social norm correction strategies are low-cost, evidence-based, and capable of catalyzing large-scale behavioral change across demographics and regions. As The Guardian concludes, making the silent majority visible is essential. Strategic communication that reinforces true public sentiment can help unlock social tipping points, strengthen climate policy, and accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon, resilient future. Source: The Guardian #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange

The European Commission has just published its 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, capturing citizens’ views and concerns across the member states. The vast majority of Europeans view climate change as a serious global threat, with 85% considering it a major problem and 81% supporting the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050. Many see climate action as economically and socially beneficial, with 77% of the opinion that the cost of inaction outweighs the cost of transition. Citizens support increased investment in renewables (88%) and improved energy efficiency. Personal concern is rising, with 38% feeling exposed to climate risks, especially in Southern Europe, Poland, and Hungary. Most expect action from governments, the EU, and industry, though information gaps persist and many struggle to find clear and reliable media coverage on climate issues. The data from Ireland shows even stronger support and concern than the EU average across most climate-related topics, especially in perceived responsibility and belief in the benefits of climate action. However, similar to the EU, there's a need for better communication and reliable information on climate change. While these topline trends are encouraging, the real challenge lies in translating this momentum into meaningful improvements in people’s daily lives. Progress must go beyond high-level indicators or awareness levels towards delivering tangible, equitable outcomes especially for those most at risk. A just transition requires confronting existing inequalities, managing social and economic risks, enabling climate action at scale and proactively supporting opportunities to build more inclusive, sustainable livelihoods. https://lnkd.in/erZhBTay

80% of people globally want stronger climate action from their leaders, according to a new big survey (n=73,000; 77 countries) just published by the United Nations, University of Oxford, and GeoPoll. The survey is called "Peoples' Climate Vote 2024" --- and the vote is loud and clear. 🌏 A global majority (72%) is in favour of a quick transition away from fossil fuels, 🌍 More than half of people globally said they were more worried than last year about climate change (higher in Small Islands Developing States), 🌎 Peoples' big decisions (e.g., where to live and work) are increasingly impacted by climate change considerations. The survey included the voices of people everywhere – including groups traditionally the most difficult to poll. People in nine of the 77 countries surveyed had never before been polled on climate change. It is important to get this global picture, as climate change is a truly global problem. In the end, it is one planet... === Zoom into the (country-specific) data: https://lnkd.in/dRAG2mJi Researchers: data is open and can be downloaded.

  You know the argument, “why should we (pick a country) do more for climate change, what about China…?” In this recent paper, scientists in Germany and Denmark have interviewed nearly 130 000 individuals across 125 countries. The findings reveal that… - 69% are willing to contribute 1% of their personal income to fight global warming - 86% state that people in their country should try to fight global warming - 89% demand intensified political action Interestingly, people in China are seemingly more willing to contribute their income and call for the government to do more than people in for instance Sweden. ”Rather than echoing the concerns of a vocal minority that opposes any form of climate action, we need to effectively communicate that the vast majority of people around the world are willing to act against climate change and expect their national government to act.” Please, communicate this, let more people know… Link to the paper in Nature Climate Change in the comments. #climatechange #climatecommunication #science

Coverage from The Guardian on the findings of Peoples' Climate Vote "Most people in the world’s biggest fossil fuel producing countries want their countries to transition quickly to clean energy to fight the climate crisis, according to the largest ever climate opinion poll, conducted by the UN. Many of these states have profited heavily from fossil fuel exploitation, but the 77-nation poll shows their citizens are deeply concerned about the impacts of global heating on their lives. In China and India, the biggest coal producers, 80% and 76% respectively want a quick green transition. In the US, the world’s biggest oil and gas producer, 54% of people want a fast transition, as do 75% of those in Saudi Arabia, the second biggest oil producer. The poll also found 69% of Australians want a quick transition away from its large coal and gas sector."