People believe that governments, companies, and international bodies bear the most responsibility for addressing climate change. At the same time, people consider themselves less responsible for addressing climate change. This signals a new demand from the global public, that national and global institutions need to work toward taking bold action on climate change. Data source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
Around the world, more people feel “greatly affected” by climate change than a year ago. This sentiment has increased across all regions and is highest in Latin America, where a majority now feel greatly affected by climate change. While this is lower in North America, there is still a significant increase in the number of people who feel climate change is greatly affecting them. This figure will likely continue to grow as temperatures rise and extreme weather events intensify, leading … “Insight of the Week: People Feel Increasingly Affected by Climate Change”
Most people around the world say that deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is a serious problem. People are more concerned about this than other challenges such as shortages of fresh water, lack of access to healthcare, and unemployment. Concern is especially high in Latin America – specifically in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Europeans also express relatively strong concern. People farther from the Amazon region express comparatively less concern, but a wide majority around the world still say this … “Insight of the Week: Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest Seen as a Serious Global Concern”
Concern about overconsumption has increased significantly compared to before the pandemic, with majorities of people around the world saying we need to consume less for the sake of future generations. This pattern of increased consumer consciousness is seen across all regions surveyed. With increasing unease about our current levels of consumption, people everywhere will be looking for more sustainable consumption patterns. Data source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Study 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
GlobeScan surveyed people in five English-speaking countries about their awareness of “net zero” products or companies. Only one-quarter of respondents globally claim at least “some” awareness about this concept. More people in the USA and the UK have heard of net zero than in other countries. Awareness is also higher among Millennials and those with higher incomes. Overall, this suggests a need to educate consumers on net zero as a tactic against climate change. Data source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 … “Insight of the Week: People Largely Unaware of Net Zero”
A majority of the global public – six in ten – favor a carbon tax on energy sources that contribute most to climate change such as coal, oil, and gas, an increase of 10 points from 2015. Support for taxation that reduces carbon emissions is the highest recorded in nearly 15 years. One in three oppose a carbon tax, especially those with lower levels of income. This suggests there may be enough public support for government policies that put a price … “Insight of the Week: Public Support for a Carbon Tax Is Growing Globally”
During COP26 in Glasgow this month, sustainability experts most want to see an agreement for integrating nature-based solutions into the Paris strategy, followed by countries’ five-year emission reduction pledges and carbon market mechanisms. Experts’ preferred outcomes favor action in the near future over a long-term approach, highlighting the urgency of action needed to stem and reverse the climate crisis. Data source: GlobeScan/SustainAbility Survey of over 500 experts representing business, government, NGOs, and academia across 71 countries
Across 18 countries, more than nine in ten people want their governments to support at least some action on climate change at the upcoming COP26 Climate Summit. Nearly six in ten want their governments to take a leadership role to address climate change as quickly as possible. Support for leadership has grown substantially in 13 out of 18 countries tracked, including the three largest emitting countries China, India, and the USA. This change in majority opinion is a strong call … “Insight of the Week: People Want Governments to Lead at COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow Even More So Than They Did for COP21 in Paris”
While the public and private sector are both crucially important for climate progress, sustainability experts say that we need more public understanding and engagement to ensure effective implementation of the Paris Agreement climate goals. When asked to spontaneously name barriers to effective implementation, one in five sustainability experts mention this lack of public engagement. This suggests the need to focus more on large-scale public education efforts on climate change and engagement to increase public pressure to respond to humanity’s “Code … “Insight of the Week: Experts Say More Public Engagement Is Needed to Effectively Implement Paris Agreement Climate Goals”
People around the world agree that large companies have a responsibility to encourage governments to do more on climate change, especially in non-OECD countries. This sentiment is stronger than ever in 2021 and has increased dramatically among people in key emitting countries – China, India, and USA – as well as in France and Germany. People today are more aware of climate change impacts happening around them, and with that comes greater expectation for action from their governments and the … “Insight of the Week: People Want Large Companies to Encourage Governments to Address Climate Change”