Global Societal Trends on Climate and Energy

Working Towards the Energy Transition and a New System

Explore how public attitudes on climate and energy are shaping the global shift to a new energy system. This report highlights strong support for the transition, rising personal impacts of climate change, and the key barriers to building a more resilient and equitable future.

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GlobeScan’s Working Towards the Energy Transition and a New System report highlights a strong and sustained global expectation for a transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system. Concern about climate change remains high, with many people increasingly feeling its impacts in their daily lives, strengthening expectations for leadership and meaningful action from policymakers and business. Across regions, the energy transition is widely seen as an opportunity to deliver tangible benefits, including emissions reduction, improved affordability, and economic opportunity.

While interest in clean technologies, such as solar panels and electric vehicles, is widespread, their adoption is often constrained by cost, infrastructure, and practicality. Public perceptions of progress on climate and energy policy remain modest, alongside a clear preference for incentives and innovation that make sustainable choices easier and more accessible. These findings point to the need for inclusive approaches that prioritize affordability and supportive systems to accelerate the transition for people and the planet.

Key Findings

• Global support for the green energy transition is overwhelming, with 9 in 10 people believing it is needed and most expecting positive personal benefits.
• Climate change feels increasingly personal, 42% of people say they are greatly affected, a steadily rising trend since 2020 that reinforces expectations for decisive action.
• Solar panels and EVs attract widespread interest, but affordability and practicality remain the main obstacles.